4. Notes 2nd Corinthians Chapter 4

 Study Notes for 2 Corinthians Chapter 4:

1. Undiscouraged Ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1):

   - Paul's claim: Not discouraged in ministry.

   - Reason: The mercy shown to him.

2. Renouncement in Ministry (2 Corinthians 4:2):

   - What Paul has renounced: Shameful and hidden things.

   - Purpose: Not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God but openly declaring the truth.

3. Veiled Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3):

   - Audience: Those who are perishing.

   - Veiling: the gospel is veiled for those who are perishing.

4. Blinded Minds (2 Corinthians 4:3–4):

   - Blinded by: The god of this age (Satan).

   - Consequence: Minds of unbelievers are blinded, preventing them from seeing the light of the gospel of Christ.

5. The god of this Age (2 Corinthians 4:4):

   - Identity: Satan.

   - Action: Blinding the minds of unbelievers.

6. Consequence of Blindness (2 Corinthians 4:4):

   - Result: Unbelievers cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.

7. The "Light of the Gospel" (2 Corinthians 4:4):

   - Definition: The glory of Christ.

   - Description: The image of God.

8. Image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4):

   - Identified as: Christ.

9. Condition of Unbelievers' Minds (2 Corinthians 4:4):

   - State: Blinded.

10. Content of Preaching (2 Corinthians 4:5):

   - Emphasis: Not preaching themselves but Jesus Christ as Lord.

11. Paul’s Relationship to Corinthians (2 Corinthians 4:5):

   - Description: Slaves of Corinthians for the sake of Jesus.

12. Preaching Emphasis (2 Corinthians 4:5):

   - Content: Preaching Christ, not themselves.

13. "Allusion to Light" (2 Corinthians 4:6):

   - Event: "Let light shine out of darkness."

   - Connection: Referring to the conversion of Paul at Damascus.

14. Metaphor for Revelation (2 Corinthians 4:6):

   - Description: Light shining out of darkness.

   - Result: God shining in hearts, revealing the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ.

15. What God Has Shone (2 Corinthians 4:6):

   - Revealed: Knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.

16. Treasure in Earthen Vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7):

   - Description: Ministers hold the treasure in earthen vessels.

   - Purpose: So that the surpassing power may be of God, not from them.

17. Purpose of Afflictions (2 Corinthians 4:8–9):

   - Afflictions Result in: Perplexity but not despair, persecution but not abandonment, struck down but not destroyed.

18. Connection Between Paul's Sufferings and Christ's (2 Corinthians 4:10–11):

   - Connection: Grounded christologically.

   - Purpose: Manifest the life of Jesus in their body.

19. Constant Death for the Sake of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:11):

   - Purpose: Manifest the life of Jesus in their mortal flesh.

20. Believers' Suffering (2 Corinthians 4:12):

   - Purpose: Death is at work in ministers, but life is in the Corinthians.

21. Purpose of Believers' Afflictions (2 Corinthians 4:12):

   - Purpose: Life in others (Corinthians).

22. Spirit of Believers (2 Corinthians 4:13):

   - Description: Spirit of faith.

23. Believers' Speech (2 Corinthians 4:13):

   - Reason: Same spirit of faith.

24. Assurance of Resurrection (2 Corinthians 4:14):

   - Assurance: Raised with Jesus and placed with Him in His presence.

25. Grace Bestowed (2 Corinthians 4:15):

   - Purpose: Thanksgiving for the glory of God.

26. Inner Renewal (2 Corinthians 4:16):

   - Contrast: Outer self wasting away, inner self being renewed day by day.

27. Afflictions' Purpose (2 Corinthians 4:17–18):

   - Afflictions Result in: Momentary light affliction producing eternal weight of glory.

   - Focus: Unseen and eternal things.

28. Believers' Focus (2 Corinthians 4:18):

   - Instruction: Look not to what is seen but to what is unseen.

   - Reason: What is seen is transitory; what is unseen is eternal.