The Light of the Gospel

2 Corinthians 4

1 Therefore, having x this ministry y by the mercy of God, 1 we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced z disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or a to tamper with God's word, but b by the open statement of the truth c we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even d if our gospel is veiled, e it is veiled only to f those who are perishing. 4 In their case g the god of this world d has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing h the light of i the gospel of the glory of Christ, j who is the image of God. 5 For what k we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with l ourselves as your servants 2 for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, m "Let light shine out of darkness," n has shone in our hearts to give o the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:6
    Who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:25
    Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
    1 Timothy 1:13
    Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 6:21
    But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
  4. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:17
    For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
  5. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:7
    By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.
    2 Corinthians 7:14
    For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.
  6. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:11 - 12
    Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
  7. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:14
    But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 13:15
    For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.
  9. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:15
    For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
    1 Corinthians 1:18
    For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
    2 Thessalonians 2:10
    And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
  10. Cross References
    John 12:31
    Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
  11. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:3
    And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
  12. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 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.
    Acts 26:18
    To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
  13. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:18
    And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
  14. Cross References
    Colossians 1:15
    He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
    Philippians 2:6
    Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.
    Hebrews 1:3
    He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
  15. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:6
    Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
  16. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:19
    For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
    2 Corinthians 1:24
    Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
  17. Cross References
    Genesis 1:3
    And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
  18. Cross References
    2 Peter 1:19
    And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
  19. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 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.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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