In 2 Corinthians 4 we have an interesting comparison between the precious gospel of Christ, and the men and women who possess that gospel. In verse 4 Paul describes the good news in the following way, “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
In contrast, in verse 7 he simply states, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.” Such a great dichotomy. The treasure is ultimate, of inestimable value. The vessel in which it is housed is not significant in comparison to the contents.
The value of the gospel is clearly indicated in scripture. In Romans 1:16, Paul writes that it is “the power of God to salvation.” In another place he wrote, “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). In fact, the Lord Himself weighed in on the subject, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
The apostle Paul here specifically refers to himself and his fellow ministers in the gospel of Christ.
“So consider that the earthen vessel refers to the one preaching the gospel. It is done for the sake of the hearer. The preacher himself is relatively unimportant in the equation, it is the message that holds the power and the glory!“
In fact, he specifically uses an us/you construct to describe his group and the Corinthians. Notice verses 13-15, “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.” So consider that the earthen vessel refers to the one preaching the gospel. It is done for the sake of the hearer. The preacher himself is relatively unimportant in the equation as it is the message that holds the power and the glory! As Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7).
The concept of the earthen vessel refers not only to its relative value, but also to its frailty. In effect, as we profess the gospel to the world, we are clay pots. This is made clear in the following words: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (8-10).
The word “hard-pressed” indicates the general troubles of ministry for Christ. Paul had a list of them. (cf. 6:4-10; 11:22-33). Paul was a strong minister of our Lord. However, he did not protest that his sacrifices were nothing. He admitted to the weight upon himself due to these problems. He acknowledged his emotional distress as he was “perplexed” concerning the negative actions against him, perhaps not knowing how to proceed or what to do at that time. He was “persecuted”, no doubt to great pain and physical harm. He even said that in his work he was “struck down” like a boxer or a soldier who is knocked down by the blows of his opponent.
Now, without the succeeding clauses in these statements, his declaration would be one of abject bleakness. However, note the “buts” that do follow.
“Perhaps this is something that is missing in too many of us, the realization that our faith is a life or death matter.”
They indicate clearly the ultimate victory of Christ’s servants, and He who supplies that victory. We are not crushed, we do not despair, we are not forsaken, not destroyed! Even if the child of God who preaches the gospel is physically killed, his death brings everlasting life to those who hear and accept his words. That is why Paul could write, “So then death is working in us, but life in you” (12).
Paul had a hard life. But his life was not unique as many died as a result of the profession of their faith. Jesus said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35). Perhaps this is something that is missing in too many of us, the realization that our faith is a life or death matter. However, remember as did Paul during a low point in his ministry, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
