2 Corinthians 4 1

2 Corinthians 4:1 kjv

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 Corinthians 4:1 nkjv

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

2 Corinthians 4:1 niv

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

2 Corinthians 4:1 esv

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

2 Corinthians 4:1 nlt

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.

2 Corinthians 4 verses

2 Corinthians 4 1 Meaning

The apostle Paul asserts that because of the divine entrustment of the new covenant ministry, which was granted by God's sheer mercy and grace, he and his fellow ministers steadfastly persevere through all difficulties without succumbing to despair or relinquishing their duty. Their unwavering commitment stems not from personal strength, but from the glorious nature and the divine source of the ministry itself, empowered by God's prior act of showing mercy.

2 Corinthians 4 1 Context

Verse 2 Corinthians 4:1 serves as a pivotal transition from the glorious exposition of the new covenant ministry in chapter 3 to the practical outworking and suffering inherent in that ministry described in chapter 4. In chapter 3, Paul had vividly contrasted the old covenant, a ministry of death and condemnation, with the new covenant, a ministry of the Spirit and righteousness, highlighting the immeasurably greater and unveiled glory of the latter. He spoke of believers, whose hearts have been turned to the Lord, having the veil removed and being transformed "from one degree of glory to another" (2 Cor 3:18).

Against this backdrop of surpassing glory and divine transformation, Paul begins chapter 4 by affirming that "having this ministry," the same glorious ministry of the new covenant, his team is thus motivated and enabled "not to lose heart." Historically, Paul's apostolic authority was challenged in Corinth; some critics pointed to his apparent weaknesses, suffering, and lack of worldly eloquence as proof he wasn't a true apostle. This verse, therefore, directly counters such criticisms by asserting that the source and nature of his ministry (divine mercy, glorious content) fundamentally negate any reason to falter, regardless of outward circumstances or accusations. It sets the stage for Paul to elaborate on the paradox of power in weakness, treasure in clay jars, and suffering for Christ in the subsequent verses.

2 Corinthians 4 1 Word analysis

• Therefore (Διὰ τοῦτο - Dia touto): This adverbial phrase signals a logical conclusion or a result based on the preceding statements. It directly links the perseverance described in 4:1 to the profound truths articulated in 2 Cor 3, particularly the surpassing glory of the new covenant ministry empowered by the Spirit.
• having (ἔχοντες - echontes): A present active participle, denoting a continuous possession or state. It indicates that the ministry is not a past event but an ongoing reality, something they consistently hold and are engaged in.
• this ministry (ταύτην τὴν διακονίαν - tautēn tēn diakonian): Refers to the "ministry of the new covenant" described in 2 Cor 3. Diakonia signifies "service" or "ministry," implying a functional role as servants of God in spreading the gospel, contrasting with worldly leadership or authority models. It emphasizes humble service.
• by the mercy of God (καθὼς ἠλεήθημεν - kathōs ēleēthēmen): Literally, "as we received mercy" or "because we were shown mercy." The aorist passive indicative verb ēleēthēmen (from eleeō, to show mercy) emphasizes a definitive past action of God acting upon them, granting this ministry not based on merit, but purely as an act of unmerited favor. This grounds their call and empowerment solely in divine grace.
• we do not lose heart (οὐκ ἐκκακοῦμεν - ouk ekkakoumen): A strong negative statement using the emphatic "ouk" before the verb. Ekkakoumen (from ekkakeō) means "to grow weary, fainthearted, or give up entirely," suggesting an inward spiritual surrender to the pressure of adverse circumstances. The present tense indicates a continuous refusal to falter, an ongoing act of perseverance despite hardships.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God: This phrase establishes the foundational rationale for their endurance. The ministry is a divine endowment, a glorious responsibility given through God's unmerited favor. It is this divine origin and nature that empower their resolve. It implies that understanding the source of one's call directly impacts one's commitment.
• we do not lose heart: This is the decisive declaration of the apostles' response to the trials they face. Their resolve is presented not as a stoic human strength but as a consequence of deeply apprehending the merciful bestowal and glorious character of their service. It highlights a steadfast determination to press on, trusting in God's power rather than yielding to discouragement or abandoning the task, a theme expanded throughout 2 Corinthians 4.

2 Corinthians 4 1 Bonus section

• The passive voice of "we received mercy" (ēleēthēmen) is significant, underscoring that their fitness for ministry is entirely God's work upon them, not their own achievement or initiative. This humble recognition fosters perseverance.
• This verse provides an antithesis to worldly aspirations for power and glory in leadership. Paul's perseverance is rooted in the divine origin of the call and the surpassing glory of the message, not in personal comfort, ease, or success as defined by human metrics.
• Paul's example demonstrates that facing immense difficulties in ministry does not negate the validity of the call but is often an integral part of it, especially for a "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18). His refusal to lose heart is a testament to the Spirit's enabling power and the conviction that the message they bear (the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, 4:4) is supremely worthy.

2 Corinthians 4 1 Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:1 encapsulates Paul's theological understanding of Christian ministry and the spirit required to sustain it. The "therefore" unmistakably connects the steadfastness in ministry to the glorious nature of the new covenant articulated in the preceding chapter. This ministry is not self-appointed or earned through human qualifications, but "by the mercy of God." This foundational truth removes any basis for human boasting or despair; it anchors their service in God's unmerited favor. The awareness that they received this profound, life-giving ministry purely through divine grace instills within them an unshakable resolve.

Consequently, Paul declares, "we do not lose heart." To "lose heart" (ekkakoumen) means to give up, to grow weary, or to surrender to the overwhelming pressures of opposition, suffering, or apparent failure. In a context where Paul's integrity and apostolic authority were under attack, and his ministry often marked by hardship, this statement is profoundly significant. It is not an assertion of invulnerability, but a testimony to a spirit sustained by divine truth. The indwelling Spirit (2 Cor 3:18) empowers them to continue, for the source of their strength is not their own fleeting resilience but the eternal, merciful God who called them. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where Paul further elaborates on the paradoxical nature of ministry: power in weakness, light in suffering, treasure in clay jars.