Standing in the pulpit to preach always makes me nervous. It is not so much the public speaking, although I’m naturally a very introverted person, so that does play a part. Primarily, it has to do with the subject matter. To stand before the assembled people of God and proclaim to them the very Word of God—which is perfect—always makes me acutely aware that I am not.For this reason, some trepidation in stepping behind the pulpit is a good thing. The seriousness of the task should make one exceedingly careful to handle the text rightly and not go beyond what is written. After all, Scripture is clear that those who teach incur a stricter judgment.

However, even when doing my best to explain and apply the text well, I’m always conscious of my own flaws, my frailty, and my limitations. At times, they are harder to ignore than others. Frankly, the last few months, and really the last two years, have been a really hard season, but that’s okay because the truth of God’s Word doesn’t depend on my strength, and it doesn’t fail because of my frailty.

The history of redemption recorded in Scripture is full of frail and faulty men and women, yet their weakness does not detract from the power of God’s Word. Indeed, I take comfort in knowing that not only is God’s power not limited by my frailty, it is, in fact, made more evident because of it.

This is exactly the point made by the apostle Paul in our text. [Read 2 Cor 4:7–12]

Before we look more closely at these verses, let me give a little bit of background context to these words that Paul is writing.

Opening: Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

There are two letters written by the Apostle Paul to the young church at Corinth, which are recorded in the New Testament. The letter of 1 Corinthians is notorious for both the breadth of problems addressed and the strength of Paul’s correction. In it, he addresses many issues, including disunity, arrogance, open immorality, confusion about spiritual gifts, and false teachers in the church who were seeking to undermine his apostolic authority.

After some time passes, Paul finally receives a report of the church’s response to this first letter from Titus, which prompts him to pen another letter—2 Corinthians. While many of the problems in the first letter had been addressed by the church, the underlying issues remained, including doubts about Paul’s ministry. So in 2 Corinthians, Paul again makes a defense of his apostleship.

After his initial thanksgiving, Paul, in chapter two, sets out his own God-given ministry in contrast to the itinerant teachers who were troubling the Corinthians. In chapter three, he contrasts the Old Covenant with his New Covenant ministry, climaxing with the past work of Christ and the present work of the Spirit. He then begins chapter four by applying all of this to the present situation, saying…

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice 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. (2 Corinthians 4:1–2)

He then goes on to say…

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5)

Paul is clear that his purpose is not to promote his ministry or make himself look good, but to proclaim the truth of God’s Word. What mattered most to him was not whether people accepted or rejected him, but how they responded to Christ.

The Gospel Displayed Through Human Frailty

However, this caused a problem in the minds of some. “Paul, you claim to have the light of the knowledge of God—a treasure of inestimable worth— and yet you’re not a very impressive figure. Shouldn’t someone whose mind has been enlightened by God’s truth look, well, more impressive? Your background is also a problem, Paul. We would expect someone having the revelation of God’s glory to come with a great entourage and letters of recommendation from the religious leaders in Jerusalem, but you come to us having been driven out of the synagogues, beaten, imprisoned, and even stoned. In short, Paul, you seem like just an average guy with a lot of problems.

Perhaps you’ve felt that way about yourself. I’m not super smart or knowledgeable. I don’t have a bunch of letters after my name. I’m not an impressive-looking individual or a gifted public speaker. I certainly don’t have it all together. How can I minister to someone else? Won’t my weaknesses detract from the gospel message?

It is precisely this misunderstanding that Paul addresses in verse seven.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

In this verse, Paul uses an analogy of a treasure, something of great value and worth, that is stored in “jars of clay”. Clay or earthenware jars were the plastic of the ancient world. What I mean by that is that they were the inexpensive, everyday containers. Cheap to produce from readily available material, they were functional, though usually not beautiful, and could be afforded by all. Not being particularly durable, they were, in a sense, disposable. Once shattered, they could not be repaired and were simply discarded and replaced.

The picture in this analogy is one of contrast. Who would think to find something of such value in so humble a vessel? And what immense value that jar now has by virtue of what it contains.

Now let’s apply this analogy to the context. “We have this treasure.” The “we” Paul is speaking of is first of all himself and his fellow apostles and faithful gospel ministers—those who proclaim not themselves but Jesus Christ. However, it extends beyond that as the reality he describes is true of every believer who has had the light of the gospel shine in their hearts.

But what is the treasure? Looking back at the preceding verses, it seems clear to me that Paul has in mind the light of the gospel, which has shined in our hearts, revealing the knowledge of the glory of God.

This brings us back to the objection Paul is anticipating. If he has the treasure of gospel revelation from God, then why is he still experiencing the suffering and hardships of human frailty? Because God, in his mercy and wisdom, has placed this great treasure inside mere jars of clay. The gospel is the power of God at work in mere mortals — redeemed men and women, frail and imperfect, just like you and me.

That’s okay because the power of the gospel is supernatural. It does not depend on our limited strength nor is it weakened by our human frailty. This divine work of God in the hearts of men, whereby he draws them to himself, raises them to spiritual life, gives them the gift of faith, and fills them with his Spirit, is entirely a supernatural work. The weakness or simplicity of the vessel has no effect on the value of the treasure placed within.

But, we still might ask, why does God in his wisdom place such a magnificent treasure in jars of clay? Paul gives the answer in the last half of the verse. “So that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

When you place treasure in a clay jar, the value of that jar is elevated because of what it contains. However, the humbleness of the container leaves no confusion as to where the value comes from.

If archaeologists uncovered a clay pot filled with gold coins, that pot would be of immense value. But no one would think for a moment that the gold derived its value from the clay pot. Instead, the beauty and worth of the gold stands out all the more starkly against the drab shell of the pot. So it is with the work of the gospel in the life of the believer.

The gospel’s power is not diminished by our human frailty. It is magnified by it. We are often discouraged that we are not the smartest or most talented. Perhaps your finances, your health, or your family situation are not the best. Do not let that discourage you from faithfully serving God with the talents and opportunities that he has given you. These things don’t diminish the work of God in your life. Instead, they make it all the more clear that the power at work in you is not something of your own doing—it is the grace of God. Our frailty serves to highlight the mercy of God and point all of the glory back to him.

The Believer’s Life of Paradoxes

Having this treasure in jars of clay means that the believer’s life in this world is a life of paradoxes. Paul lays this out in verses eight and nine.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (2 Corinthians 4:8–9)

This was true of Paul and his companions, who for the sake of the gospel regularly faced affliction, persecution, and hardship. However, this is also an experience familiar to all believers who live very long in this present evil age.

Living as a Christian does not mean that everything will go smoothly in this life, and that you will never face a hardship or problem. To live in a world broken by sin, surrounded by people who are enslaved to sin, means that you will suffer affliction.

Paul and his companions endured much affliction, and yet, they were not crushed by it. What happens to a clay jar that receives too much rough handling and abuse? It breaks. The natural expectation for Paul and his companions is that they would be crushed by all of the affliction that they endured, and yet they were not. I think his jar may have had a few cracks and stress fractures. Indeed, Paul says that he bore in his body the visible marks of his suffering, yet through it all, he remained whole and useful for the master’s purposes. This was obviously not due to the strength of the container—he is just a clay jar. No, Paul’s strength does not come from himself, but from the treasure—the gospel power at work within him.

As believers, we also endure afflictions in this life. Maybe you’ve experienced it firsthand, or perhaps you’ve watched it unfold in the lives of those around you. Affliction comes against them so often and so intensely that it overwhelms their natural strength, and it seems that they will surely be crushed by its weight. And when they are not, the only explanation is the power of God at work in them, preserving them and strengthening them beyond their natural ability.

We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. The word translated perplexed here means to be at a loss—to reach the limits of one’s understanding. At times you may try your best to discern the Lord’s will, to faithfully following his leading. However, it seems like every avenue is blocked, every door shuts in your face, and you find yourself completely at a loss. “God, I don’t understand. I’m just trying to be faithful and obedient, yet I keep hitting roadblocks at every turn.”

Paul was perplexed too. There were times in his ministry when God seemed to be providentially blocking his every turn, yet he was not driven to despair. Even when he could see no solution or way out of the current situation, he didn’t lose all hope. Despite outward appearances, Paul knew—because of the truth of the gospel within him—that God is never at a loss. Although he may work in ways we cannot see to accomplish his will, his purposes are never thwarted.

We are persecuted, but not forsaken. Sometimes the problems we face come from those who specifically set themselves in opposition against us. We may face this opposition on many fronts, sometimes even from our family or those whom we considered close friends. That can be one of the most painful experiences we face in life.

Near the end of his own life, Paul writes to Timothy that, “all in Asia turned away from me.” The Asia referred to here is the region of Asia Minor where Paul conducted the lion’s share of his ministry. He knew what it was to be persecuted and to feel abandoned. Yet he was not forsaken. Though all others might turn away, he could continue because of the truth in the Gospel.

If you have turned to Christ in faith, God has shone the light of the gospel in your heart and sealed that work by giving you his Spirit. If he has made you his own, you can have complete confidence that he will never turn away and leave you behind. You will never be forsaken by him.

And lastly, we are struck down, but not destroyed. We all will face times of affliction, perplexity, and persecution. However, occasionally something comes along that delivers such a tremendous blow that we are struck down—knocked off of our feet, emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes even physically. Perhaps it is a devastating medical diagnosis, the death of a child, or the unfaithfulness of a spouse. A blow like this can knock even the most solid believer to the ground with such force that it seems they could never survive.

Some of you here this morning have experienced a blow like this. I’ve watched some of you live through this over the last few years. From a natural perspective, what you endured was far beyond your strength, wisdom, and ability to handle. When the blow fell, you were knocked down, hard. But you were not destroyed. The jar of clay is still in one piece. How is that possible? It is not by the strength of the clay, but the power that is a work in you. It is by the mercies of the Lord that you were not consumed. It is the faithfulness of God who began a good work in you, who strengthened and preserved you, and who will bring that work to completion in you so that he alone receives all of the glory.

Life from Death: The Power of the Resurrection

Paul goes on in verses ten and eleven to explain this paradoxical reality.

…always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 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. (2 Corinthians 4:10–11)

Verse ten begins with what may seem like an unusual phrase, “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus.” Consider for a moment what could Paul mean by this? How does Paul in his physical body carry the death of Jesus?

It is helpful to note that Paul uses a different word for death in verse ten. The word Paul typically uses for death is θάνατος (thanatos). In fact, he even uses it in the very next verse. However, here in verse ten, he substitutes the word death νέκρωσις (nekrōsis), which can refer not only to the moment a life ends, but to the entire process of dying from suffering to death to the decay that comes after death. It is from this that we derive our English word “necrosis,” meaning the death of cells and tissue that leads to decay, and if left untreated, to further death.

Because Paul uses this particular word in the context of speaking about his sufferings as an apostle, I think that carrying in the body the death of Jesus is a reference to the ongoing suffering that he endures for the work of the ministry. For Paul, this suffering and even his death as an apostle is not merely human pain caused by opposition. Rather, because he is suffering as a believer and for the sake of the gospel, he views his suffering as an outward display that he has inwardly been crucified with Christ.

It was not uncommon at that time for the followers of pagan cults and mystery religions to parade new initiates through the streets carrying idols or items to display the wealth and prosperity that supposedly came from following their teachings. In a similar way, Paul’s very life is a display of faithfully following Christ, seen not through his wealth and prosperity, but through suffering like Jesus. Put another way, the opposition Paul suffered as he followed Christ identified him with one who suffered the wrath of God in his place.

This, however, is not merely a morbid picture. It is another paradox—a powerful display of contrast. He goes on to say that this takes place “so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” And again in verse eleven, “so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” Just as a brilliant gem is displayed against a black cloth, so Paul’s suffering provided the perfect setting for the resurrection life of Christ to be displayed in him. Despite his outward suffering, Paul was clearly full of spiritual life. It was precisely his immense suffering, by contrast, that made the resurrection life within him all the more apparent.

Now if we are honest, we would probably prefer that the resurrection life of Christ be displayed in us without any suffering on our part at all. However, just like the false teachers in Corinth, this would place the focus on us and veil the true source of our spiritual life—the resurrection power of Christ within us.

Finally, in verse twelve, Paul makes one final statement that may not be what we would expect.

So death is at work in us, but life in you. (2 Corinthians 4:12)

Given what comes before, especially in verses ten and eleven, we probably expect Paul to say something like, “So death is at work in us, but life is also at work in us.” Instead, he concludes, “…life is at work in you.”

You see, it was through suffering that Paul first came to Corinth to preach the gospel, and it was through his continued sufferings that the Corinthian believers could see a firsthand demonstration of the resurrection life of Jesus at work in Paul. So even in his affliction, Paul could take heart, not only because the Spirit’s power was at work in him, but because through his suffering God’s power was being displayed in a way that pointed others to the truth of the gospel. Thus, he will conclude later in chapter twelve of this letter, “…I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor. 12:9b)

Believers, I pray that this truth is implanted in your hearts. Jesus’ resurrection life at work in us through our sufferings unveils and puts on display the gospel’s true power. At times in this life, we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and may even be struck down. But it is in that very difficulty and darkness that the light of the life of Christ shines brightest within us.

We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of our time, I want to summarize this text by offering you four encouragements.

1. See the Gospel for the treasure that it is. Think about Paul’s picture of the gospel as a precious treasure entrusted to us. Familiarity along with the cares of life can sometimes cause us to forget, momentarily, the immensity of the gift that we have been freely given. If that is true of your heart, make some time today to meditate on the amazing worth of what we have been given in Christ.
2. View your own suffering and frailty as a means to God’s glory. Consider the difficult seasons of life, perhaps the one you are going through right now, in light of this passage. The difficulties may leave you perplexed, but they are not without a purpose. God is faithful. He will bring you through, making your life a picture of his amazing grace.
3. Take comfort in knowing that God is at work even in affliction to accomplish his glorious purpose of salvation. Not only does God work out sanctification in us through the trials we face in life, but his grace at work in us also testifies of the gospel’s power to the watching world around us.
4. Know that this current state will not last forever. We will not always be afflicted, or perplexed, nor will we always be a frail jar of clay. As Paul goes on to describe in the next few verses, we are looking forward to the resurrection in which believers will be clothed with a glorified body like Christ’s, and will be freed from hardship and suffering forever in the presence of the one who loved us and gave himself for us.

We'll conclude with the final verses of chapter four.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 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. (2 Corinthians 4:16–18)