Here we are knocking at the door of chapter 4 where Paul defends his Apostolic call to ministry and brings to light the Gospel message, before he explains humanity's being the vessels of clay, let see what nuggets of gold are herein shall we? Remember that we have had our unbelieving political and religious eyes and ears opened, thereby giving clear perception of the mind of Christ, i.e. the mind and viewpoint of GOD, now having the mindset of Christ restored as in the beginning, old things now having passed away.
2Corinthians 4:1-6 "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness (G3834), nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (KJV)
2Corinthians 4:1-6 "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 (G3834) 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. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 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. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 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." (ESV)
2Corithians 4:1-6 "Since we are employed by the mercy of GOD, and by our own qualifications, quitting is not an option. We have renounced hidden agendas (employing a little bit of the law in an attempt to "balance" out grace); we have distanced ourselves from any obscure [1,G3834]craftiness to manipulate GOD's word (promises) to make it mean what it does not say! With truth on open display in us, we highly recommend our lives to everyone's [2,G4893]conscience! Truth finds its most authentic and articulate expression in human life. This beats any doctrinal debate! (It is our passion for all to see what is so completely obvious in the mirror of our redeemed likeness and innocence! The word translated craftiness, is the word [1,G3834 from G3835 it from G3956 and G2041] panourgia and it is from G3956 pas and G2041 ergon, all manner of wearisome labor! [2,G]Conscience in Latin means to know together; in Greek, [2,G4893 from ] G4894 suneido, translates as joint seeing; which is the opposite of Hades, not to see.) If our message seems vague to anyone, it is not because we are withholding something from certain people! It is just because some are so stubborn in their efforts to uphold an outdated system that they don't see it! They are all equally found in Christ but they prefer to remain lost in the cul-de-sac language of the Law! The survival and self-improvement programs of the [1,G165]religious systems of this world veil their minds of the unbelievers; exploiting their ignorance about their true orig and their redeemed innocence (righteousness). The veil of unbelief obstructs a person's view and keeps them from seeing what the light of the gospel so clearly reveals: the [2,G1391]glory of GOD is the image and likeness of our Maker redeemed in human form; this is what the gospel of Christ is all about! (The god of this [1,G165 from G104 meaning a continued duration] G165 aion, age, refers to the religious systems and governing structures of this world. The unbelief that neutralized Israel in the wilderness is the lie that they believed about themselves; "We are grasshoppers, and the 'enemy' is a giant beyond any proportion!" [Numbers 13:33, Joshua 2:11, Hebrews 4:6] "They failed to possess the promise due to unbelief." The blueprint [2,G1391 from the base of G1380] doxa, glory of GOD, is what Adam lost on humanity's behalf! [See Ephesians 4:18]) Even though we recommend ourselves with great confidence, it is not with arrogance; we do not preach ourselves! We preach Christ Jesus the LORD; we are addicted to this gospel; employed by Jesus for your sakes. The light source is founded in the same GOD who said (in Genesis 1:3-4), "Light, be!" And light shone out of darkness! he lit the lamp in our understanding so that we may clearly recognize the features of his likeness in the face of Jesus Christ reflected within us. (The same GOD who bade light shine out of darkness has kindled a light in our hearts, whose shining is to make known his glory as he has revealed it in the feature of Jesus Christ. ---Knox Translation) (The Mirror)
We have a good foot hold in the doorway of Christ's revelation and this with clear eyes of renewed perception. Until next time, the LORD willing. May he who "IS" light and wisdom increase yours and your families understanding.
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