2Cor 4:1-3 | JFB | STEP | . His Preaching Is Open and Sincere, though to Many the Gospel Is Hidden. For he preaches Christ, not himself: the human vessel is frail that God may have the glory; yet, though frail, faith and the hope of future glory sustain him amidst the decay of the outward man. 1. Therefore-- Greek, "For this cause": Because we have the liberty-giving Spirit of the Lord, and with unveiled face behold His glory ( , ). seeing we have this ministry-- "The ministration of the Spirit" ( , ): the ministry of such a spiritual, liberty-giving Gospel: resuming , . received mercy-- from God, in having had this ministry conferred on us ( ). The sense of "mercy" received from God, makes men active for God ( ). we faint not-- in boldness of speech and action, and patience in suffering ( , , &c.).

‏ 2 Corinthians 4:1-3

CHAPTER 4

2Co 4:1-18. His Preaching Is Open and Sincere, though to Many the Gospel Is Hidden.

For he preaches Christ, not himself: the human vessel is frail that God may have the glory; yet, though frail, faith and the hope of future glory sustain him amidst the decay of the outward man.

1. Therefore--Greek, "For this cause": Because we have the liberty-giving Spirit of the Lord, and with unveiled face behold His glory (2Co 3:17, 18).

seeing we have this ministry--"The ministration of the Spirit" (2Co 3:8, 9): the ministry of such a spiritual, liberty-giving Gospel: resuming 2Co 3:6, 8.

received mercy--from God, in having had this ministry conferred on us (2Co 3:5). The sense of "mercy" received from God, makes men active for God (1Ti 1:11-13).

we faint not--in boldness of speech and action, and patience in suffering (2Co 4:2, 8-16, &c.).

2. renounced--literally, "bid farewell to."

of dishonesty--rather, "of shame." "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Ro 1:16). Shame would lead to hiding (2Co 4:3); whereas "we use great plainness of speech" (2Co 3:12); "by manifestation of the truth." Compare 2Co 3:3, "manifestly declared." He refers to the disingenuous artifices of "many" teachers at Corinth (2Co 2:17; 3:1; 11:13-15).

handling ... deceitfully--so "corrupt" or adulterate "the word of God" (2Co 2:17; compare 1Th 2:3, 4).

commending--recommending ourselves: recurring to 2Co 3:1.

to--to the verdict of.

every man's conscience--(2Co 5:11). Not to men's carnal judgment, as those alluded to (2Co 3:1).

in the sight of God--(2Co 2:17; Ga 1:10).

3. But if--Yea, even if (as I grant is the case).

hid--rather (in reference to 2Co 3:13-18), "veiled." "Hid" (Greek, Col 3:3) is said of that withdrawn from view altogether. "Veiled," of a thing within reach of the eye, but covered over so as not to be seen. So it was in the case of Moses' face.

to them--in the case only of them: for in itself the Gospel is quite plain.

that are lost--rather, "that are perishing" (1Co 1:18). So the same cloud that was "light" to the people of God, was "darkness" to the Egyptian foes of God (Ex 14:20).