By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Displaying the Gospel
2 Corinthians 4:5–18
Proclaim (5–6)
The Corinthians had questioned Paul’s authority but Paul demonstrated that he had the authority of an apostle by emphasizing how he lived and acted in the presence of the Corinthians. Many false teachers in Paul’s day focused on what they could get from preaching the gospel instead of focusing on bringing glory and honor to God. Paul highlighted how he preached Jesus Christ as Lord with no regard for himself. Paul did not preach the gospel so he could get money or fame. This was one of the ways which showed the Corinthians that Paul was a real apostle — he did not preach for personal gain.
He also preached the gospel alone — he did not add anything to it. In our modern setting we have to be careful not to add anything to the gospel message. Throughout history many Christians have preached the gospel but then unintentionally added cultural or personal elements like how to worship or how to dress that become a form of legalism in the church. We need to focus on the gospel instead of personal opinion.
Live (7–15)
Clay jars were commonly used in the first century and Paul uses this reference to show how common and fragile the messengers of the gospel are. God delights in using the weak things of this world to confound the wise. The key point of this is to show that strength, worldly wisdom and fame detract from the gospel and emphasize ourselves and who we are and what we can do. The gospel is not about what we can do but what God does in spite of ourselves.
The other religions of the world highlight what we must do to achieve salvation. In contrast Christianity teaches that we can’t do anything to be made right with God — God alone does this. Therefore salvation is dependent upon embracing the gospel which comes by grace through faith, not by human achievement. This is why the gospel is good news to those who recognize their weaknesses and need for a Savior. Human achievements like fame and riches put the focus on ourselves and away from God.
The fact that Christians are likened to clay jars also emphasizes our dependence upon God. If Christians were given superhuman power and ability we would be more apt to ignore God and depend on our own abilities. In fact, Paul highlights the weaknesses of Christians so that Christ may receive the glory and be magnified.
Focus (16–18)
Since we are weak vessels of clay we face hardships on a regular basis — sickness, age, death, persecution, etc. But Paul emphasizes that Christ sustains us in the midst of these difficulties. We are strengthened spiritually as we focus not on the hardships themselves but on the power of God who has given us eternal life. This is why Paul says we don’t focus on the outward things but on God working in and through us.
This is how Christians can find joy even in the midst of the most tragic events. It is not that Christians are happy — happiness is based upon circumstances — but rather joyful, which is based on eternal realities and is permanent.
The world focuses on happiness and what it thinks can bring happiness, but Christians provide a great witness to a lost and dying world when we remain steadfast when facing trials. Our salvation is secure and our eternal destiny is certain. Therefore we can have peace and joy in a world that desperately needs it.
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