The Light of Christ’s Gospel
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry,as we have received mercy, wedo not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truthcommending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled,it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose mindsthe god of this agehas blinded, who do not believe, lestthe light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,who is the image of God, should shine on them.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, andourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For it is the Godwho commanded light to shine out of darkness, who hasshone in our hearts togivethe light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 Wearehard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed;weareperplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but notforsaken;struck down, but not destroyed—
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who liveare always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13 And since we havethe same spirit of faith, according to what is written,“I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,
14 knowing thatHe who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will presentuswith you.
15 Forall thingsarefor your sakes, thatgrace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Seeing the Invisible
16 Therefore wedo not lose heart. Even though our outwardmanis perishing, yet the inward man isbeing renewed day by day.
17 Forour light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceedingandeternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seenaretemporary, but the things whicharenot seen are eternal.