2 Corinthians 4 6

2 Corinthians 4:6 kjv

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 nkjv

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 niv

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 esv

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 nlt

For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4 verses

2 Corinthians 4 6 Meaning

The radiant light of God's glory has shone into the hearts of believers, illuminating them with the knowledge of His splendor. This inner light, specifically the knowledge of the glory of God, is displayed through Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4 6 Context

This verse is part of Paul's extensive explanation in 2 Corinthians 4 about the nature and power of his apostolic ministry. He contrasts the frailty of the physical, earthly ministry with the glorious, eternal power that comes from God. Paul faces intense opposition and hardship, but he proclaims that this ministry is not in vain because God's power works through believers. He has just spoken of the "treasure" of the gospel carried in "earthen vessels" (4:7). This verse, therefore, directly addresses how the glorious light of the gospel shines through these seemingly weak vessels.

2 Corinthians 4 6 Word analysis

• For (Gk. gar): A coordinating conjunction, introducing an explanation or reason for what was just stated.
• God (Gk. Theos): The supreme, all-powerful Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the object of worship.
• Who (Gk. hos): A relative pronoun, referring back to God.
• commanded (Gk. pephōtiken - perfect tense): Lit. "has shone" or "has caused to shine." The perfect tense indicates a completed action with a continuing result – God's light has shone, and it continues to shine.
• light (Gk. phōs): In Scripture, light often symbolizes divine presence, truth, holiness, purity, salvation, and revelation. It is that which dispels darkness.
• to shine (Gk. phanai - infinitive form of phaneroō): To make visible, manifest, reveal, or shine forth.
• out of (Gk. ek): Indicates origin or source; the shining emanates from the darkness.
• darkness (Gk. skotous - genitive case): The opposite of light; symbolizes sin, ignorance, evil, spiritual blindness, and the domain of Satan.
• in (Gk. en): Preposition indicating sphere or location; within the realm of darkness.
• our (Gk. hēmōn): Possessive pronoun, belonging to us (the believers).
• hearts (Gk. kardiais - dative case): Represents the inner person, the seat of thoughts, emotions, will, and understanding.
• to shine (Gk. phōs - accusative case, object of the verb): The light itself, the glorious illumination.
• in (Gk. eis): Preposition indicating motion into, or a direction towards.
• our (Gk. hēmōn): Possessive pronoun, belonging to us (the believers).
• hearts (Gk. kardias - accusative case, direct object of the shining): The receptive center of the believer.
• you (Gk. hymās): Pronoun referring to the Corinthian believers to whom Paul is writing.
• The knowledge (Gk. epignōsis): A deeper, experiential, and full knowledge, going beyond mere intellectual awareness.
• of the glory (Gk. tēs doxēs - genitive case): "Glory" refers to the manifested radiance, honor, magnificence, and intrinsic worth of God.
• of God (Gk. Theou - genitive case): Belonging to God.
• in the face (Gk. epi prosōpou): Refers to the visible countenance or person, signifying a direct and personal encounter or representation.
• of Christ (Gk. Christou - genitive case): Belonging to Christ.

Word Group Analysis

• "God who commanded light to shine out of darkness": This echoes the act of creation (Genesis 1:3) and establishes God's absolute power to bring forth revelation and truth even from the deepest void or spiritual ignorance.
• "in our hearts": This highlights the internal transformation, where the light of God's glory does not merely touch the mind but illuminates the core of a person's being.
• "to shine in our hearts": Emphasizes the active, illuminating work of God within the believer, making them a conduit for this divine light.
• "The knowledge of the glory of God": This is the content of the illumination – understanding God's majestic attributes and saving power.
• "in the face of Christ": This specifies that this glorious knowledge is most profoundly revealed and understood through Jesus Christ, who is the very image and express radiance of God (Hebrews 1:3).

2 Corinthians 4 6 Bonus section

The phrase "in the face of Christ" is particularly significant. Christ is the full manifestation of God's glory. Hebrews 1:3 states Jesus is "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature." Therefore, the "knowledge of the glory of God" is inseparable from the knowledge of Christ. It is through Christ's humanity and divine person that the unseen God makes Himself known in a radiant, comprehensible way. This illumination is what equips believers to understand and proclaim the gospel, even though they are earthen vessels (4:7). The perfect tense of pephōtiken (has shone) suggests that this act of divine illumination is a foundational reality for the believer, a settled truth that underpins their identity and mission.

2 Corinthians 4 6 Commentary

God, in His sovereign act, caused spiritual light to break forth from the darkness that enveloped creation and humanity. This divine illumination is not a natural phenomenon but a supernatural act directed toward the inner being of believers—their hearts. The light's purpose is to shine within them, not merely to be seen, but to enlighten them with a profound understanding, a deep and experiential "knowledge," specifically of God's glorious essence and salvific work. This glorious manifestation of God is uniquely and perfectly revealed through the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, believers are illuminated with the knowledge of God's glory as they behold and know Christ, making them transparent vessels for that same light to shine forth into the world, fulfilling the purpose of Paul's ministry.

• A life transformed by the inner light of God’s glory cannot help but reflect that light.
• The knowledge of Christ’s glory fuels endurance amidst hardship.
• When we see God’s glory in Christ, our own spiritual darkness begins to recede.