📖 2 Corinthians — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore Rseeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 Corinthians 4:2 But have Rrenounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 4:3 But if Rour gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom Rthe god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but RChrist Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, Rwho 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 Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have Rthis treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are Rtroubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2 Corinthians 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; Rcast down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 4:10 Always Rbearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:11 For we which live Rare alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2 Corinthians 4:12 So then Rdeath worketh in us, but life in you.
2 Corinthians 4:13 We having Rthe same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing Rthat he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
2 Corinthians 4:15 For Rall things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but Rthough our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For Rour light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: Rfor the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Corinthians 4:1–6 — Truth and gospel light
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul rejects deceit and hidden shame, proclaiming Christ as Lord while God shines knowledge of his glory into hearts.
Key Truth: Serve with truth rather than manipulation.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received ____ , we faint not;” (2 Corinthians 4:1)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “In ____ the god of this world hath blinded the minds of …” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… shined in our hearts, to give the light of the ____ of the glory of God in the face of Jesus …” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Corinthians 4:7–12 — Treasure in earthen vessels
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Human weakness displays God's power. Affliction does not destroy the servants who bear witness to Jesus' life through costly ministry.
Key Truth: Let weakness deepen dependence on God.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But we have this ____ in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may …” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “So then death worketh in us, but ____ in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:12)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:12 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For we which live are alway delivered unto ____ for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might …” (2 Corinthians 4:11)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Corinthians 4:13–18 — Unseen eternal hope
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Faith speaks amid suffering, looking toward resurrection and an eternal weight of glory beyond present affliction.
Key Truth: Keep eternal hope before present hardship.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “We having the same ____ of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and …” (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For which ____ we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet …” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ we look not at the things which are seen, but …” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Genesis 1:3 — Paul connects God's shining light with the command at creation.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can honesty and hope shape your response to weakness?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes 2 Corinthians 4:1–6 (Truth and gospel light) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes 2 Corinthians 4:7–12 (Treasure in earthen vessels) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes 2 Corinthians 4:13–18 (Unseen eternal hope) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. Why is treasure held in earthen vessels?
5. What contrast supports refusing to faint?
Notes
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