The Light of the Gospel

1Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,a we do not give up.b 2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not actinga deceitfully or distorting the word of God,b but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.c 3But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case, the god of this agea has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,a b who is the image of God.c 5For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,a and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 6For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”a has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledgeb of God’s gloryc in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars

7Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary powera may be from God and not from us. 8We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10We always carry the death of Jesusa in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. 11For we who live are always being given over to deatha for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. 13And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,a b we also believe, and therefore speak. 14For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesusa and present us with you. 15Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgivinga to increase to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not give up.a Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner personb is being renewed day by day. 17For our momentary light afflictiona is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.b 18So we do not focus on what is seen,a but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.