Paul begins his fourth chapter reassuring the believers of his dedication to the truth and renouncing deceitful or underhanded ways. I wonder with whom he is comparing himself. Were there other leaders at the time spewing half-truths and lies? We certainly have those now, so what follows should be relatable. He says he refuses to tamper with the gospel, and any veiled message is only veiled to those who are perishing. He says the “god of this world” has blinded their eyes from seeing the truth. 

Paul speaks from experience, having his own physical eyes blinded temporarily in Acts 9 in order for him to see a spiritual truth. It is possible then and now even under religious pretense to be doing the absolute wrong thing.

What is this spiritual truth Paul is talking about? The Gospel. It is the story of Jesus: his birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Paul says, he is promoting Christ, not himself. Even then as now, great religious speakers were as self-promotional as any influencer or politician of today. In comparison to the the message of Jesus, Paul call himself only a servant. He is not the main character. 

Paul compares the light in Genesis that God spoke into being with “the knowledge of glory of God, in the face of Jesus.” He says it is a treasure kept in jars of clay. The humans carrying and promoting the gospel are weak and frail like pottery, yet the power of God is eternal. Paul then lists all of our weaknesses and God’s provision: we are afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. This is basically a run down of all of the trials that he faced during his ministries. He was lied about, injured and imprisoned, and yet he continued to minister through the power of God. 

He says we are simultaneously carrying the life of Jesus, even as our bodies are aging and falling apart. Paul believes that the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is also present to raise us to new life. He quotes David from the Psalms, speaking of both his suffering and God’s presence guiding him through it. 

Paul finishes by encouraging his believers to not lose heart. Even though our bodies are getting old and breaking down, our spirits are being renewed every day. He remind us that our temporary affliction is preparing us for “the eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”