2 Corinthians 4:7-12
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 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; 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 live are 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.
Context
- What is the treasure Paul is speaking of? (2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:5, 6)
Reflection
- Why are we called ‘earthen vessels’ or ‘jars of clay’? (Judges 7:8-22, Acts 9:15, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Colossians 3:10, 1Thes 2:4, 2 Timothy 2:21)
- How had Paul himself experienced these difficulties? (Acts 9:23, 24, 13:50, 14:5, 6, 19, 20, 2 Corinthians 6:4-10, 11:16-23)
- What four ways does Paul describe being delivered to death for Jesus sake? (Psalm 44:22, Mark 8:35, Romans 8:36, Galatians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 15:31, 2 Timothy 2:11, 1 Peter 4:13, 14)
- How is the ‘life of Jesus manifest in our mortal flesh’? (John 14:19, Romans 6:8, 9, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, Ephesians 4:24)
Testimony Time
- How is the treasure of His glory shining through your ‘clay vessel’? (1 Corinthians 1:18-22, 2 Corinthians 1:7, Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:36, 37)
- How real is His power and; presence in your pain? (Matthew 28:28, Hebrews 13:5, John 15:18-22, 16:33)