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In this passage, Paul responds personally to attacks on his character and authority. While defending his ministry (in 2:12-6:13, he shares what motivates him to endure intense opposition and suffering. Everyone involved in Christian ministry in any way can draw strength from the focus of these chapters on experiencing God's faithfulness and anticipating eventual triumph.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

1. Paul called the good news he preached a "precious treasure." What was the upside (v. 7) of it being contained in a "clay jar"?
2. Have you, like Paul, ever felt at the end of your rope? How can you be certain (v. 8) that you will never be abandoned?
3. In what sense is suffering for Christ (v. 10) sharing in His death?
4. How does the vulnerability of the messenger (v. 11) actually showcase the validity of the gospel?
5. What does Paul see at the finish line of his marathon (v. 14)?
6. In verse 15, Paul articulates the ultimate motivation for Christian ministry. What is that?
7. What perspective on the present and future, seen and unseen, does Paul model (vv. 17-18) for the believer?
8. What is the practical result (v. 16) of focusing on the solid hope that is ours?

Ask God for the same keep-at-it-and-never-give-up determination that marked the apostle Paul's life.

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, so I spoke." 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Work in my life, Lord, causing me to be motivated by eternally significant goals.

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