2 Corinthians 4:7 kjv
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 nkjv
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 niv
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 esv
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 nlt
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
2 Corinthians 4 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 4:8 | We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned. | Continues the theme of affliction |
| Phil 2:17 | But even if I am poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. | Illustrates pouring out of oneself for ministry |
| Acts 9:15 | But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel." | Chosen instrument of God |
| Rom 9:23-24 | And in order to make known the riches of his glory on objects of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom he also called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? | God's mercy preparing for glory |
| Jer 18:1-6 | The potter and the clay; God's sovereignty over his creation. | Metaphor of potter and clay |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. | Power comes from the Spirit |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | The divine glory in human form |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. | God choosing the weak |
| 1 Cor 2:5 | so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. | Faith in God's power, not human wisdom |
| 2 Cor 5:18-19 | all this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ... | Reconciliation through Christ |
| Eph 3:8 | To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. | Unsearchable riches of Christ |
| Col 1:27 | to them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. | Christ in you, the hope of glory |
| 2 Cor 10:4 | For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. | Spiritual warfare, God's might |
| 2 Cor 12:9-10 | My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly I will therefore rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. | Power made perfect in weakness |
| 1 Thes 2:4 | But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. | Entrusted with the gospel |
| Acts 20:24 | But I do not account my life of any value nor as dear to myself, so that I may finish my race and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. | Ministry and testimony |
| Matt 11:25 | At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to them little children." | Revelation to the humble |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. | The gospel as power of God |
| 2 Tim 2:20 | Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. | Different types of vessels |
| Heb 1:3 | who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, by being born in the likeness of men. | Christ emptying himself |
2 Corinthians 4 verses
2 Corinthians 4 7 Meaning
This verse describes the treasure of the gospel and Christ's power residing within believers, who are considered "earthen vessels." Despite being frail and ordinary in themselves, this divine treasure is evident through them, clearly demonstrating that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to humans.
2 Corinthians 4 7 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 4 continues Paul's defense of his ministry. He is addressing criticism and opposition, asserting the legitimacy and divine origin of his apostleship. In this chapter, Paul contrasts the sufferings of the present ministry with the future glory that awaits believers. He emphasizes that while they face affliction and outward decay, their inward selves are being renewed day by day. This renewal is driven by the glorious light of Christ shining in their hearts, illuminating the knowledge of God's glory. The chapter stresses that the gospel itself is the radiant light, but this light is contained within ordinary, frail human beings, highlighting that the power originates from God.
2 Corinthians 4 7 Word Analysis
- We (hēmeis): Emphasizes the collective identity of Paul and his fellow ministers, encompassing the Christian community.
- have this treasure (echomen ton thesauon):
- "Echomen": Present tense verb, indicating a continuous possession.
- "Thesauon" (θησαυρόν): Treasure. This signifies something precious, valuable, and held in high esteem. In this context, it refers to the glorious gospel, the knowledge of God's glory in Christ, and the indwelling Spirit. This treasure is divine in origin and value.
- in us (en hēmin): Points to the indwelling presence of the treasure within believers, not as an external possession but as an internal reality.
- who are earthenware vessels (hoi de tin pōrinous skeuesin):
- "Hoi de": "But we," setting up a contrast.
- "Pōrinous" (πωρινους): Earthen, made of clay. Clay pots were common, inexpensive, and fragile, easily broken. This emphasizes the weakness, imperfection, and ordinariness of the human agents who carry the divine treasure.
- "Skeuesin" (σκεύεσιν): Vessels, containers. Implies a carrying or containing function.
- that the exceeding greatness of the power (hōste tē hyperbolē tēs dynameōs):
- "Hōste" (ὥστε): So that, to the end that, in such a way that. This indicates the purpose or result of the treasure being in earthenware vessels.
- "Hyperbolē" (ὑπερβολῆς): Exceeding, surpassing, eminence, pre-eminence. An intense superlative emphasizing the extraordinary and overwhelming nature of the power.
- "Dynamēos" (δυνάμεως): Power, might, strength. Refers to the divine, supernatural power of God.
- may be of God (einai tou Theou): Denotes origin and ultimate source. The power belongs to God.
- and not of us (kai mē ex hēmōn): Reinforces that the power is not inherent in the human vessels themselves but is God's working through them.
Word Group Analysis
- "This treasure in earthen vessels": This core phrase is a powerful metaphor. It juxtaposes something infinitely valuable (the treasure of the gospel, God's glory in Christ) with something common and fragile (earthenware vessels, i.e., human beings). The intention is to highlight that God intentionally uses ordinary, weak people to display His extraordinary power, ensuring all glory goes to Him and not to man.
2 Corinthians 4 7 Bonus Section
This imagery of the treasure in earthenware vessels connects to the idea of divine enablement. It signifies that our availability to God is more crucial than our inherent ability. The fragility of the vessel makes the glory of the contained treasure more conspicuous. This verse speaks to the humility required in ministry and the assurance that true effectiveness stems not from human achievement but from reliance on God's power. It encourages believers not to be discouraged by their own limitations or the hardships they face, but to trust that God is able to work powerfully through them. The outward "decay" or pressure mentioned in the previous verses (2 Cor 4:7-8) only serves to reveal the more clearly the unquenchable divine power within.
2 Corinthians 4 7 Commentary
Paul uses a potent metaphor here to underscore the nature of Christian ministry and the source of its efficacy. The "treasure" represents the inestimable value of the gospel, the transforming knowledge of God's glory revealed in Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit at work within believers. This treasure is not entrusted to the mighty, the wise, or the influential in the world's estimation. Instead, it is placed in "earthen vessels" – humble, fragile, mortal human beings, prone to weakness and suffering.
The purpose of this arrangement is profound: to demonstrate that the "exceeding greatness of the power" is undeniably from God. When God's glory shines through the limitations and frailties of human instruments, the supernatural origin of the work becomes evident. The contrast between the precious treasure and the common vessel magnifies God's glory. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, where God often chooses the weak to shame the strong (1 Cor 1:27) and demonstrates His power through our weakness (2 Cor 12:9). Paul’s ministry, marked by hardship yet proclaiming triumphant gospel, exemplifies this divine strategy. Believers are not the source of their strength or impact; they are simply the conduits through which God’s mighty power flows.