II Corinthians Chapter 4
Paul recognized that being a minister of the gospel was a great privilege. He was allowed to spread the good news by the mercy of God. This would also be true for each and every believer. And with that commission we also carry a great responsibility to spread the gospel with integrity as Paul did. We need to be bold Christians who will stand up for the truth and not tamper or water down the truth of God’s Word.
Let's Reflect
1. There are those in the world who would misuse the gospel for personal gain, typically financial gain. How did Paul describe those who practice such things?
2. Paul again uses the idea of a veil separating men from God. In this case the veil over men’s eyes is put there by the “god of this world” or Satan. Why does he veil the eyes of the unbeliever?
3. Paul is saying that we need to understand that the proclamation of the gospel will very much be a spiritual warfare. He states that they are not travelling around the continents just to preach their own beautiful speech, but they are proclaiming a gospel of whom?
4. In proclaiming the spiritual gospel, they are spreading what? They are trying to reach people in a very dark world (dark because their eyes are veiled to the truth) and because men love darkness rather than ________.
John 3:19-20And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
5. When Paul thinks of the privilege of knowing Jesus, and the honor that the Holy Spirit – the very Spirit of God dwells inside of our bodies, he is in awe. What does Paul call our bodies in verse 7 that “house” the Spirit of God, we who are believers?
6. Paul’s life was extremely difficult. Many wanted him dead because of the things he was preaching. Paul suffered a lot of terrible things, and the threat of death was always near. Paul was willing to suffer for the sake of Jesus even if it meant death to his mortal body so that he could bring what to the lost? See verse 12.
7. Even though his outward body was perishing, Paul said he did not lose heart because of the power of the resurrection. He viewed the hardships of this life as only temporary and miniscule compared to the eternal weight of glory. He said that the greatness of the eternal glory was beyond what?
