ESV

ESV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Copy
Copy Options
Format by: Verse Paragraph
Strong's
Red Letter
Audio Bibles
The Blue Letter Bible

2 Corinthians 4 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

toggle collapse
Choose a new font size and typeface
Audio Bibles

The Light of the Gospel

Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:1 - Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,[fn] we do not lose heart.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:2 - But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice[fn] cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:3 - And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:4 - In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:5 - For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants[fn] for Jesus’ sake.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:6 - For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:7 - But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:8 - We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:9 - persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:10 - always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:11 - For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:12 - So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:13 - Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:14 - knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:15 - For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:16 - So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[fn] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:17 - For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 4:18 - as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
ESV Footnotes
Greek having this ministry as we have received mercy
Greek to walk in
Or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
Greek man
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

BLB Searches
Search the Bible
ESV
 [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
ESV

Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan