1Therefore, having this ministry, just as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. [4:2] But we have renounced the hidden things of disgrace, not walking in craftiness nor falsifying the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every human conscience before God. [4:3] But if our gospel is also veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, [4:4] in whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, does not shine on them. [4:5] For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord — and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. [4:6] Because it is God who said, 'Out of darkness light will shine,' who has shone in our hearts for the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2CO 4:1-6
The Light of the Gospel
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, (ministry) was often associated with low-status service, such as waiting tables or manual labor, roles typically performed by slaves or the lower classes. For Paul to frame his apostolic work as would have been countercultural, challenging the honor-shame economy that valued public prestige and social status. The mention of 'hidden things of shame' taps into the pervasive cultural fear of public dishonor, which could ruin one’s reputation and social standing. Paul’s rejection of 'craftiness' and 'falsifying the word of God' contrasts sharply with the rhetorical practices of sophists, who often manipulated truth for personal gain. The 'god of this age' refers to the spiritual forces governing the present era, a concept familiar to both Jewish and pagan audiences. The 'light of the gospel' evokes Jewish messianic imagery, where light symbolizes divine revelation and salvation, contrasting with the 'blindness' imposed by spiritual powers.
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How other translations render this
2CO 4:1
- KJV
- Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
- BSB
- Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore, having this ministry, just as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2CO 4:2
- KJV
- But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, 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.
- BSB
- Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every manʼs conscience in the sight of God.
- Koinōnos
- But we have renounced the hidden things of disgrace, not walking in craftiness nor falsifying the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every human conscience before God.
2CO 4:3
- KJV
- But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
- BSB
- And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- Koinōnos
- But if our gospel is also veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing,
2CO 4:4
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- Koinōnos
- in whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, does not shine on them.
2CO 4:5
- KJV
- For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- BSB
- For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesusʼ sake.
- Koinōnos
- For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord — and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.
2CO 4:6
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- Because it is God who said, 'Out of darkness light will shine,' who has shone in our hearts for the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2CO 4:1
- ministry:The word translated 'ministry' here emphasizes active, humble service to others, often in a practical or administrative capacity, rather than a position of authority or prestige.
2CO 4:2
- of shame:The term translated 'of shame' refers to a sense of disgrace or dishonor, particularly in public perception, rather than merely a feeling of embarrassment.
2CO 4:4
- age:The word translated 'age' refers to a distinct period of time with its own characteristics and values, rather than simply a duration of years.
2CO 4:5
- servants:The word translated 'servants' here specifically denotes a slave or bond-servant, someone who is legally owned and completely subject to another's will, not merely an employee.