The sincerity of his preaching. His comfort in his afflictions.
4:1. Therefore seeing we have this ministration, according as we have
obtained mercy, we faint not.
4:2. But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in
craftiness nor adulterating the word of God: but by manifestation of
the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight
of God.
4:3. And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost,
4:4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of
unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who
is the image of God, should not shine unto them.
4:5. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord: and
ourselves your servants through Jesus.
4:6. 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 Christ Jesus.
4:7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency
may be of the power of God and not of us.
4:8. In all things we suffer tribulation: but are not distressed. We
are straitened: but are not destitute.
4:9. We suffer persecution: but are not forsaken. We are cast down:
but we perish not.
4:10. Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that
the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies.
4:11. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake:
that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
4:12. So then death worketh in us: but life in you.
4:13. But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I
believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe. For which
cause we speak also:
4:14. Knowing that he who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with
Jesus and place us with you.
4:15. For all things are for your sakes: that the grace, abounding
through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God.
4:16. For which cause we faint not: but though our outward man is
corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
4:17. For that which is at present momentary and light of our
tribulation worketh for us above measure, exceedingly an eternal weight
of glory.
4:18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal: but the
things which are not seen, are eternal.