Endurance Is Possible 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 Power; Gospel; Perseverance; Trial; Persecution; Adversity; Affliction; Death; Life 4/19/20; Grace Church of Lockeford; 504

Introduction “No Christian should ever complain to God because of his lack of gifts or abilities, or because of his limitations or handicaps. Psalm 139:13–16 indicates that our very genetic structure is in the hands of God. Each of us must accept himself and be himself.”1

1. The Power Of Jesus v. 7 a. The demand for His power v. 7a “‘Earthen’ or ‘clay’ jars, as opposed to bronze ones, were readily discarded; because clay was always available, such containers were cheap and disposable if they were broken or incurred ceremonial impurity—an odd container for a rich treasure.”2

“Such vessels were regarded as fragile and as expendable because they were cheap and often unattractive.”3

“We are but earthen jars used of God for his purposes (Rom. 9:20ff.) and so fragile.”4

“The idea of light in earthen vessels is, however, best illustrated in the story of the lamps and pitchers of Gideon, Judges 7:16. In the very breaking of the vessel the light is revealed.”5

“Even though it is what dispels spiritual darkness God has deposited this precious gift in every clay Christian.”6

“It is precisely the Christian’s utter frailty which lays him open to the experience of the all- sufficiency of God’s grace, so that he is able even to rejoice because of his weakness (12:9f.)— something that astonishes and baffles the world, which thinks only in terms of human ability.”7

“That Paul is an “earthen vessel” in the first instance signifies his intrinsic lack of worth; earthenware pots were inexpensive, common, and impermanent. Power is perfected in weakness (12:9). God places the riches of his presence only in cheapware. Paul does not preach himself, but Jesus Christ as Lord (v. 5).”8

“The believer is simply a “jar of clay”; it is the treasure within the vessel that gives the vessel its value.”9

“God chose to store the glorious message in weak jars of clay so that those who are ministers of grace maintain a sense of their own unworthiness and weakness.”10

1 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 642. 2 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 2 Co 4:7. 3 Murray J. Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Milton Keynes, UK: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.; Paternoster Press, 2005), 340. 4 A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), 2 Co 4:7. 5 Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 3 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 312. 6 Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), 2 Co 4:7. 7 Ibid, 2 Co 4:7. 8 Mark A. Seifrid, The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Second Letter to the Corinthians, ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2014), 206. 9 Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1, 642. 10 Dwight L. Hunt, “The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, ed. Robert N. Wilkin (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2010), 782.

b. The display of His power v. 7b “although insignificant and weak in themselves, become God’s powerful instruments in communicating the treasure of the gospel.”11

Excellence - ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē) extraordinary degree. Extraordinary overabundance n. — the state of having extremely (even superlatively) more than is necessary. Noun (subject), nominative, singular, feminine.

“God permits trials, God controls trials, and God uses trials for His own glory. God is glorified through weak vessels.”12

“God often allows the vessel to be chipped and broken, that the excellency of the treasure contained, and of the power which that treasure has, may be all His (2 Co 4:10, 11; Jn 3:30).”13

“It is precisely because the proclaimers of the gospel are in themselves frail and fragile (witness vv. 8–9!), relatively insignificant and unattractive, that people clearly recognize that the transforming power (δύναμις) of the gospel is God’s alone and that the strength (δύναμις) of its ministers to endure hardship comes from God alone.”14

“The contrast between the treasure and the earthen vessels which contain it is intended (hina) to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.”15

“A deepening sense of his own unworthiness, compared with the grandeur of his message, characterized Paul’s life (cf. Eph. 3:7–9). God intended this sharp contrast so that no one would question the source of the gospel and its all-surpassing power. Salvation is the work of God not men (cf. 1 Cor. 2:5; 3:7).”16

“The pottery lamps which could be bought for a copper or two in the Corinthian market-place provided a sufficient analogy; it did not matter how cheap or fragile they were so long as they showed the light.”17

“The important thing about a vessel is that it be clean, empty, and available for service. Each of us must seek to become “a vessel unto honor, sanctified [set apart], and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). We are vessels so that God might use us. We are earthen vessels so that we might depend on God’s power and not our own.”18

2. The Perseverance Of Jesus vv. 8-10 a. The effect of perseverance vv. 8-9 “The negated second element does not indicate a mere mitigation of the hardship; rather, it points to an actual divine deliverance (cf. 1:8–9); not simply a change of outlook on Paul’s part, but God’s intervention.”19

11 Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Greek Testament Commentary, 340. 12 Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1, 642. 13 Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 306. 14 Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Greek Testament Commentary, 340. 15 Colin G. Kruse, 2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 8, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 106. 16 David K. Lowery, “2 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 563. 17 Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible, 2 Co 4:7. 18 Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1, 642. 19 Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Greek Testament Commentary, 342.

“His life is full of afflictions, yet his afflictions are, or rather shall be, overcome by the comfort and deliverance granted him in Christ.”20

v. 8 Hard-pressed - θλίβω (thlibō) afflict; oppress. to be caused to be distressed v. — to be brought into difficulties or distress or suffering. Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.

Crushed - στενοχωρέομαι (stenochōreomai) restrict; confine. To be distressed hopelessly v. — to be in a distressing situation without hope of escape, survival, or other positive outcomes; possibly conceived of as an extremely narrow area from which no physical escape can be found. Verb, present, active, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.

Perplexed - ἀπορέω (aporeō) be perplexed; be at a loss. To be perplexed v. — to be or become filled with confusion resulting from failure to understand. Verb, present, middle, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.

Despair - ἐξαπορέομαι (exaporeomai) be in doubt; be in despair. To fall apart v. — to lose one’s emotional or mental composure. Verb, present, either middle or passive, participle with indicative force, nominative, masculine.

v. 9 Persecuted - διώκο (diōko) pursue; persecute. To be persecuted v. — to be or become subject to systematic harassment and attack due to one’s religious beliefs. Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.

“So Paul’s statement means “we are persecuted by men, but never abandoned by God” (Barclay).”21

Forsaken - ἐγκαταλείπομαι (enkataleipomai) desert; forsake; abandon. To be left behind v. — to be or become forsaken or abandoned by someone at their departure (either intentionally or through neglect). Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.

Struck down - καταβάλλο (kataballo) throw down; strike down. to be felled v. — to be or become fallen by or as if by receiving a blow. Verb, present, passive, participle with indicative force, plural, nominative, masculine.

Destroyed - ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) destroy; perish; lose. To be destroyed v. — to be or become destroyed or damaged irreparably. Verb, present, either middle or passive, participle, plural, nominative, masculine.

“When these four pairs of antitheses are read, as they might be, as illustrations of the thematic statement in v. 7, it is clear that in Paul’s estimation, this “hardship catalogue” demonstrates, not his virtuous character or his buoyant self-sufficiency or his steadfast courage amid adversity (as in the case, for example, of the Stoic sage), but his utter dependence as a frail human being on the superlative excellence (ὑπερβολή) of God’s power. Also, it was not a case of divine power

20 Seifrid, The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Second Letter to the Corinthians, 206. 21 Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Greek Testament Commentary, 344. revealing itself as weakness or transcending and replacing human weakness, but of divine power being experienced in the midst of human weakness.”22

“In these respects his life, representing all believers who herald the gospel, was very like our Lord’s. Paul’s numerous escapes from defeat and death were signs of Christ’s power at work in him.”23

“In all of his troubles, he hopes for God’s saving help. But he does not name a time, place, or manner in which that help must come. He recognizes that God may grant him “only” the final deliverance. It is this deliverance for which he hopes and for which all else is a mere anticipation.”24

“Though God allowed Paul and his team to be persecuted by enemies, He did not abandon Paul to them.”25

b. The purpose of perseverance v. 10 “Paul’s term for ‘bearing around’ (cf. ‘carry around’—NIV) the dying of Jesus was typically used for pallbearers, implying that Paul not only preaches but also carries around Jesus’ dying in the persecutions he faces daily.”26

“The meaning of Paul’s experiencing the death and life of Jesus, as the overall context makes clear, is not to be taken mystically but quite concretely. Caught up in affliction and persecution, Paul was continually exposed to death.”27

“Represents the life-threatening situations Paul experienced because of his ministry (Acts 9:16; 14:22; 21:10–14). Paul’s sufferings not only display God’s power (2 Cor 4:7), but also bear witness to the death of Jesus and His resurrected life.”28

Manifested - φανερόω (phaneroō) reveal; make clear. To be manifest v. — to be or become clearly revealed to the mind, the senses, or judgment. Finite verb, aorist, passive, subjunctive, third person, singular.

“On the one hand he is daily subject to forces which lead to death, but on the other he is continually upheld, caused to triumph, and made to be more than a conqueror by the experience of the risen life of Jesus in his mortal body”29

“He was always being given over to death, that is, he constantly faced death (cf. 2 Cor. 1:9). Paul noticed that God usually chose weak people to serve Him (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26–29). He subsequently argued for the genuineness of his apostleship on the basis of his sufferings (2 Cor. 11:23–24) and his weakness (11:30; 12:5).”30

“Paul’s use of nekrosis (“dying,” v. 10) rather than thanatos (“death”) shows that what he had in mind was not our identification with Jesus in His death. It was rather our sharing in His

22 Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Greek Testament Commentary, 345. 23 Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible, 2 Co 4:8. 24 Seifrid, The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Second Letter to the Corinthians, 207. 25 Hunt, “The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, 782. 26 Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 2 Co 4:10–12. 27 Kruse, 2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 8, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 107. 28 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Co 4:10. 29 Kruse, 2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 8, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 107. 30 Lowery, “2 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, vol. 2, 563–564. sufferings by being exposed to danger and death for His sake daily (cf. 1:5–6; 1 Cor. 15:31; Phil. 3:10). The next verse makes this clearer.”31

“It is this understanding of Jesus’ death that Paul presents here; the afflictions and hardships that Paul endures are a manifestation of the “deadness” of Jesus that he bears. Just as the enduring “deadness” of Jesus is overcome in Jesus’ resurrected life, so the apostle again and again is delivered from danger and death; “the life of Jesus” is thus manifest in his body”32

“Results of suffering with Christ are not only for this life, they are also for the life to come (Rom 8:17–18).”33

3. The Presence Of Jesus vv. 11-12 a. He is present in life v. 11 “Paul regards his preservation amidst so many exposures to “death,” by which Stephen and James were cut off, as a standing miracle (2 Co 11:23).”34

Delivered - παραδίδομι (paradidomi) deliver; hand over; betray. To be brought into a state ⇔ be delivered v. — to be or become forced or compelled into a state or condition; conceived of as being handed over to an authority. Finite verb, present, passive, indicative, first person, plural.

“Paul faced threats to his life daily for his witness to Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:30–31).”35

“In serving Jesus, Paul regularly faces the possibility of death. To live for Jesus means one should be ready to suffer for Him. To Paul it means being hated for the Lord’s sake, and even being put to death.”36

“A Christlike life and ministry is proportionate to the amount of suffering and conflict endured for the cause of Christ.”37

“To suffer for and with Christ is to die with Christ. For the Christian suffering is not a sign of divine disappointment but an opportunity to divine engagement.”38

b. He is present in death v. 12 “If we suffer, it is for Jesus’ sake. If we die to self, it is so that the life of Christ might be revealed in us. If we go through trials, it is so that Christ might be glorified. And all of this is for the sake of others. As we serve Christ, death works in us—but life works in those to whom we minister.”39

Working - ἐνεργέω (energeō) work; be at work. To function v. — to do what something is used for; perform as expected when operating. Finite verb, present, middle, indicative, third person, singular.

31 Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible, 2 Co 4:10. 32 Seifrid, The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Second Letter to the Corinthians, 208. 33 Hunt, “The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, 783. 34 Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2, 306. 35 Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible, 2 Co 4:11. 36 Hunt, “The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, 783. 37 Ibid, 783. 38 Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Greek Testament Commentary, 349. 39 Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1, 643. “Daily exposure to forces leading to death is Paul’s experience, but accompanying that is a continual manifestation of the life of Jesus in the apostle, here not only to sustain him, but to work through him, bringing life to others.”40

“Physical death works in him while spiritual life (paradox) works in them.”41

“Paul says, in effect, ‘our body is constantly exposed to the same putting to death which Jesus suffered. The daily liability to a violent death is something which we carry about with us.’”42

“Paul believed his own sufferings were a means through which God could minister to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 1:5–6; cf. Eph. 3:10; 2 Tim. 2:10). As Christ had brought life to others through His suffering and death, so Paul’s suffering (with death … at work in him [cf. 2 Cor. 4:10–11]) was a means of causing spiritual life to be at work in others (Col. 1:24).”43

“While Christ’s ministers suffer because of their testimony for the Savior, those to whom they minister experience new and greater spiritual life because of those ministers’ faithfulness (cf. 1:3–7). The more faithful Paul and his companions remained to God’s will the more they suffered and the more the Corinthians prospered spiritually.”44

“The “treasure” remains distinct from “the earthen vessel” in which it is contained. This “treasure,” we may recall, is the saving knowledge of God’s glory in the person of Christ (v. 6). It is manifest in Paul’s “mortal flesh,” not only in the impossible rescues from danger and trouble that have been granted him, but also in the gift of the Spirit, who works faith in him and brings it to word.”45

“Paul suffers, even to the point of death, so that the Corinthian Christians might experience the life of Christ. This is how great Paul’s love and concern for them was, and how much he yearned for their well being.”46

“The deeper his experience of the trials and sufferings of the apostolic life, the richer their experience of the joys and privileges of Christian existence (cf. Col. 1:24; 2 Tim. 2:10).”47

“This rich theology of suffering was forged on the anvil of his own experience of “the sufferings of Christ.”48

Conclusion “Sometimes God permits our vessels to be jarred so that some of the treasure will spill out and enrich others. Suffering reveals not only the weakness of man but also the glory of God.”49

“A great sustaining power for the persecuted servant of Christ is the hope of resurrection through Him. This hope will save us from sinking. We know that Christ was raised and His resurrection is an earnest and assurance of ours. What reason has a Christian to fear death who dies in hope of being raised by the Lord Jesus?”50

40 Kruse, 2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 8, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 108. 41 Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, 2 Co 4:12. 42 Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 3, 313. 43 Lowery, “2 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, vol. 2, 564. 44 Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible, 2 Co 4:12. 45 Seifrid, The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Second Letter to the Corinthians, 209. 46 Hunt, “The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, 783. 47 Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Greek Testament Commentary, 350. 48 Ibid, 350–351. 49 Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1, 642–643. 50 Keith Brooks, Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009), 54.