Treasure in Jars of Clay

2 Corinthians 4

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, m that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are n hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not o forsaken; p struck down, but not destroyed - 10 q always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, r that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live s are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have t the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, u "I believed and therefore I spoke," 1 we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that v He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For w all things are for your sakes, that x grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we y do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is z being renewed day by day. 17 For a our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 b while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

  1. Cross References
    Judges 7:2
    And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.
    1 Corinthians 2:5
    That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
  2. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:8
    For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
    2 Corinthians 7:5
    For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 129:2
    Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me.
    Hebrews 13:5
    Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 37:24
    Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
  5. Cross References
    Philippians 3:10
    That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 8:17
    And if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 8:36
    As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
  8. Cross References
    2 Peter 1:1
    Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 116:10
    I believed, therefore I spoke, "I am greatly afflicted.
  10. Cross References
    Romans 8:11
    But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
  11. Cross References
    Colossians 1:24
    I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:19
    For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.
    2 Corinthians 1:11
    You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
  13. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:1
    Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
    Galatians 6:9
    And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
  14. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:29
    He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
    Isaiah 40:31
    But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
    Colossians 3:10
    And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 5:12
    Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
    Romans 8:18
    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
    1 Peter 1:6
    In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 8:24
    For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
    2 Corinthians 5:7
    For we walk by faith, not by sight.
    Hebrews 11:1
    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
    Hebrews 11:13
    These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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