Read Scripturead-freewith Bible Gateway Plus—trusted Study Bibles and commentaries beside every verse. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
2 Corinthians 4
New International Version

### Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy(A)we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.(B)2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;(C)we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.(D)On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience(E)in the sight of God.3 And even if our gospel(F)is veiled,(G)it is veiled to those who are perishing.(H)4 The god(I)of this age(J)has blinded(K)the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,(L)who is the image of God.(M)5 For what we preach is not ourselves,(N)but Jesus Christ as Lord,(O)and ourselves as your servants(P)for Jesus’ sake.6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a](Q)made his light shine in our hearts(R)to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.(S)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay(T)to show that this all-surpassing power is from God(U)and not from us.8 We are hard pressed on every side,(V)but not crushed; perplexed,(W)but not in despair;9 persecuted,(X)but not abandoned;(Y)struck down, but not destroyed.(Z)10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,(AA)so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.(AB)11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,(AC)so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.(AD)

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b](AE)Since we have that same spirit of[c]faith,(AF)we also believe and therefore speak,14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead(AG)will also raise us with Jesus(AH)and present us with you to himself.(AI)15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving(AJ)to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart.(AK)Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly(AL)we are being renewed(AM)day by day.17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(AN)18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,(AO)since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

#### Footnotes

1. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3
2. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
3. 2 Corinthians 4:13 OrSpirit-given

#### Cross references

1. 2 Corinthians 4:1:1Co 7:25; 1Ti 1:13, 16
2. 2 Corinthians 4:1:ver 16; Ps 18:45; Isa 40:31
3. 2 Corinthians 4:2:Ro 6:21; S 1Co 4:5
4. 2 Corinthians 4:2:2Co 2:17; S Heb 4:12
5. 2 Corinthians 4:2:2Co 5:11
6. 2 Corinthians 4:3:S 2Co 2:12
7. 2 Corinthians 4:3:2Co 3:14
8. 2 Corinthians 4:3:S 1Co 1:18
9. 2 Corinthians 4:4:S Jn 12:31
10. 2 Corinthians 4:4:S 1Co 1:20
11. 2 Corinthians 4:4:2Co 3:14
12. 2 Corinthians 4:4:ver 6
13. 2 Corinthians 4:4:S Jn 14:9
14. 2 Corinthians 4:5:1Co 1:13
15. 2 Corinthians 4:5:1Co 1:23
16. 2 Corinthians 4:5:1Co 9:19
17. 2 Corinthians 4:6:Ge 1:3; Ps 18:28
18. 2 Corinthians 4:6:2Pe 1:19
19. 2 Corinthians 4:6:ver 4
20. 2 Corinthians 4:7:Job 4:19; Isa 64:8; 2Ti 2:20
21. 2 Corinthians 4:7:Jdg 7:2; 1Co 2:5; 2Co 6:7
22. 2 Corinthians 4:8:2Co 7:5
23. 2 Corinthians 4:8:Gal 4:20
24. 2 Corinthians 4:9:Jn 15:20; Ro 8:35
25. 2 Corinthians 4:9:Heb 13:5
26. 2 Corinthians 4:9:Ps 37:24; Pr 24:16
27. 2 Corinthians 4:10:S Ro 6:6; S 2Co 1:5
28. 2 Corinthians 4:10:S Ro 6:5
29. 2 Corinthians 4:11:Ro 8:36
30. 2 Corinthians 4:12:2Co 13:9
31. 2 Corinthians 4:13:Ps 116:10
32. 2 Corinthians 4:13:1Co 12:9
33. 2 Corinthians 4:14:S Ac 2:24
34. 2 Corinthians 4:14:1Th 4:14
35. 2 Corinthians 4:14:Eph 5:27; Col 1:22; Jude 24
36. 2 Corinthians 4:15:2Co 1:11; 9:11
37. 2 Corinthians 4:16:ver 1; Ps 18:45
38. 2 Corinthians 4:16:Ro 7:22
39. 2 Corinthians 4:16:Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31; Col 3:10
40. 2 Corinthians 4:17:Ps 30:5; Ro 8:18; 1Pe 1:6, 7
41. 2 Corinthians 4:18:2Co 5:7; Ro 8:24; Heb 11:1

New International Version(NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 byBiblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Journal the Word Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Take Notes, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $27.99
Save: $12.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $7.50
Save: $12.48 (62%)
Buy Now
NIV Application Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Bringing the Ancient Message of the Bible into Your World
Retail: $54.99
Our Price: $35.00
Save: $19.99 (36%)
Buy Now
NIV, Radiant Virtues Bible: A Beautiful Word Collection, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Retail: $69.98
Our Price: $48.99
Save: $20.99 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles