2 Corinthians 4:7 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.

BSB

Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

KJV

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

ASV

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;

BBE

But we have this wealth in vessels of earth, so that it may be seen that the power comes not from us but from God;

Original Greek

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Ἔχομεν Echomen We have G2192 δὲ de now G1161 τὸν ton (the) G3588 θησαυρὸν thēsauron treasure G2344 τοῦτον touton this G3778 ἐν en in G1722 ὀστρακίνοις ostrakinois earthen G3749 σκεύεσιν skeuesin vessels G4632 ἵνα ina that G2443 ἡ hē the G3588 ὑπερβολὴ huperbolē surpassingness G5236 τῆς tēs of the G3588 δυνάμεως dunameōs power G1411 ᾖ ē may be G1510 τοῦ tou (the) G3588 θεοῦ theou from God G2316 καὶ kai and G2532 μὴ mē not G3361 ἐξ ex from G1537 ἡμῶν hēmōn us G3165

The early church

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves." For seeing he had spoken many and great things of the unspeakable glory, lest any should say, 'And how enjoying so great a glory remain we in a mortal body?' he saith, that this very thing is indeed the chiefest marvel and a very great example of the power of God, that an earthen vessel hath been enabled to bear so great a brightness and to keep so high a treasure. And therefore as admiring this, he said, "That the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;" again alluding to those who gloried in themselves. For both the greatness of the things given and the weakness of them that receive show His power; in that He not only gave great things, but also to those who are little. For he used the term "earthen" in allusion to the frailty of our mortal nature, and to declare the weakness of our flesh. For it is nothing better constituted than earthenware; so is it soon damaged, and by death and disease and variations of temperature and ten thousand other things easily dissolved. And he said these things both to take down their inflation, and to show to all that none of the things we hold is human. For then is the power of God chiefly conspicuous, when by vile it worketh mighty things. Wherefore also in another place He said, "For My power is made perfect in weakness." And indeed in the Old [Testament] whole hosts of barbarians were turned to flight by gnats and flies, wherefore also He calleth the caterpillar His mighty force; and in the beginning, by only confounding tongues, He put a stop to that great tower in Babylon. And in their wars too, at one time, He routed innumerable hosts by three hundred men; at another He overthrew cities by trumpets; and afterwards by a little and poor stripling, David, He turned to flight the whole army of barbarians. So then here also, sending forth twelve only He overcame the world; twelve, and those, persecuted, warred against.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 2 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–7

The best of men would faint, if they did not receive mercy from God. And that mercy which has helped us out, and helped us on, hitherto, we may rely upon to help us even to the end. The apostles had no base and wicked designs, covered with fair and specious pretences. They did not try to make their ministry serve a turn. Sincerity or uprightness will keep the favourable opinion of wise and good men. Christ by his gospel makes a glorious discovery to the minds of men. But the design of the devil is, to keep men in ignorance; and when he cannot keep the light of the gospel of Christ out of the world, he spares no pains to keep men from the gospel, or to set them against it. The rejection of the gospel is here traced to the wilful blindness and wickedness of the human heart. Self was not the matter or the end of the apostles' preaching; they preached Christ as Jesus, the Saviour and Deliverer, who saves to the uttermost all that come to God through him. Ministers are servants to the souls of men; they must avoid becoming servants to the humours or the lusts of men. It is pleasant to behold the sun in the firmament; but it is more pleasant and profitable for the gospel to shine in the heart. As light was the beginning of the first creation; so, in the new creation, the light of the Spirit is his first work upon the soul. The treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels. The ministers of the gospel are subject to the same passions and weaknesses as other men. God could have sent angels to make known the glorious doctrine of the gospel, or could have sent the most admired sons of men to teach the nations, but he chose humbler, weaker vessels, that his power might be more glorified in upholding them, and in the blessed change wrought by their ministry.

Read Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 4 →

Cross-references

28

Topics

Afflictions And Adversities Man Treasure