The apostles labored with much diligence, sincerity, and faithfulness
The best of men would faint, if they did not receive mercy from God. And that mercy which has helped us out, and helped us on, hitherto, we may rely upon to help us even to the end. The apostles had no base and wicked designs, covered with fair and specious pretenses. They did not try to make their ministry serve a turn. Sincerity or uprightness will keep the favorable opinion of wise and good men. Christ by his gospel makes a glorious discovery to the minds of men. But the design of the devil is, to keep men in ignorance; and when he cannot keep the light of the gospel of Christ out of the world, he spares no pains to keep men from the gospel, or to set them against it. The rejection of the gospel is here traced to the willful blindness and wickedness of the human heart. Self was not the matter or the end of the apostles’ preaching; they preached Christ as Jesus, the Savior and Deliverer, who saves to the uttermost all that come to God through him. Ministers are servants to the souls of men; they must avoid becoming servants to the humors or the lusts of men. It is pleasant to behold the sun in the firmament; but it is more pleasant and profitable for the gospel to shine in the heart. As light was the beginning of the first creation; so, in the new creation, the light of the Spirit is his first work upon the soul. The treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels. The ministers of the gospel are subject to the same passions and weaknesses as other men. God could have sent angels to make known the glorious doctrine of the gospel, or could have sent the most admired sons of men to teach the nations, but he chose humbler, weaker vessels, that his power might be more glorified in upholding them, and in the blessed change wrought by their ministry.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-7
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced 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. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the 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. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who 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. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
In the first six verses of Chapter 4, Paul emphasizes the high responsibility of every servant of Christ to make the message of the Gospel clear. There must be nothing that veils this message. Nothing should remain hidden or enigmatic. Everything must be clear, sincere, and unequivocal.
Paul has spoken about how wonderfully God equipped him to be a capable minister of the new covenant. He picks up this thread again here. The recognition of the great dignity of Christian service prevents such a man as Paul from "losing heart." Of course, there are always discouraging and depressing experiences in Christian service, but the Lord provides mercy and grace that help in times of need. Thus, regardless of the discouragements experienced, the encouragement is always greater in comparison.
Paul was "not discouraged" (NASB; cf. note NIV). He did not act cowardly but courageously in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Paul has spoken about how wonderfully God equipped him to be a capable minister of the new covenant. He picks up this thread again here. The recognition of the great dignity of Christian service prevents such a man as Paul from "losing heart." Of course, there are always discouraging and depressing experiences in Christian service, but the Lord provides mercy and grace that help in times of need. Thus, regardless of the discouragements experienced, the encouragement is always greater in comparison.
Paul was "not discouraged" (NASB; cf. note NIV). He did not act cowardly but courageously in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
 | Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-04-26 Source: Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck |
Peace to an incestuous fornicator, he should forthwith have proceeded to accumulate exhortations about turning away from impurities, about pruning away of blemishes, about exhortations to deeds of sanctity, as if he had decreed nothing of a contrary nature just before? Compare, in short, (and see) whether it be his province to say, "Wherefore, having this ministration, in accordance with (the fact) that we have obtained mercy, we faint not; but renounce the secret things of disgrace"
 | Author: Tertullian of Carthage Rank: Author AD: 220 |
This perseverance is to be attributed to God’s loving kindness, for not only do we not sink down under the weight of all our trials, but we even rejoice and speak boldly.
 | Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy we faint not, but we have renounced the hidden things of shame. Seeing he had uttered great things and had set himself and all the faithful before Moses, aware of the height and greatness of what he had said, observe how he moderates his tone again. For it was necessary on account of the false Apostles to exalt his hearers also, and again to calm down that swelling; yet not to do it away, since this would be a trifler's part. Wherefore he manages this in another manner, by showing that not of their own merits was it, but all of the loving-kindness of God. Wherefore also he says, Therefore seeing we have this ministry. For nothing more did we contribute, except that we became ministers, and made ourselves subservient to the things given by God. Wherefore he said not 'largess ,' nor 'supply ,' but 'ministry.' Nor was he contented with this even, but added, as we obtained mercy. For even this itself, he says, the ministering to these things, is of mercy and loving-kindness. Yet it is mercy's to deliver from evils, not to give so many good things besides: but the mercy of God includes this also. We faint not. And this indeed is to be imputed to His loving-kindness. For the clause, as we obtained mercy, take to be said with reference both to the ministry, and to the words, we faint not. And observe how earnestly he endeavors to lower his own things. 'For,' says he, 'that one who has been counted worthy of such and so great things, and this from mercy only and loving-kindness, should show forth such labors, and undergo dangers, and endure temptations, is no great matter. Therefore we not only do not sink down, but we even rejoice and speak boldly.' For instance, having said, we faint not, he added, 2 Corinthians 4:2. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully. And what are the hidden things of shame? We do not, he says, profess and promise great things, and in our actions show other things, as they do; wherefore also he said, You look on things after the outward appearance; but such we are as we appear, not having any duplicity, nor saying and doing such things as we ought to hide and veil over with shame and blushes. And to interpret this, he added, not walking in craftiness. For what they considered to be praise, that he proves to be shameful and worthy of scorn. But what is, in craftiness? They had the reputation of taking nothing,, but they took and kept it secret; they had the character of saints and approved Apostles, but they were full of numberless evil things. But, says he, we have renounced these things: (for these are what he also calls the hidden things of shame; being such as we appear to be, and keeping nothing veiled over. And that not in this [our] life only, but also in the Preaching itself. For this is, nor handling the word of God deceitfully. But by the manifestation of the truth. Not by the countenance and the outward show, but by the very proof of our actions. Commending ourselves to every man's conscience. For not to believers only, but also to unbelievers, we are manifest; lying open unto all that they may test our actions, as they may choose; and by this we commend ourselves, not by acting a part and carrying about a specious mask. We say then, that we take nothing, and we call you for witnesses; we say that we are conscious of no wickedness, and of this again we derive the testimony from you, not as they (sc. false Apostles) who, veiling over their things, deceive many. But we both set forth our life before all men; and we lay bare the Preaching, so that all comprehend it. 2. Then because the unbelievers knew not its power, he added, this is no fault of ours, but of their own insensibility.
| Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
Paul attributes his perseverance not to human merit but to the mercy of God, which first cleanses a person, then makes him righteous, adopts him as a son of God and endows him with a glory like the glory of God’s own Son. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
 | Author: Ambrosiaster Rank: Author AD: 400 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
