In this chapter we find a discussion about apostolic life. In the first part (4:1–6), Paul speaks about its meaning. This part can be divided into three sections:
In the second part (4:7–18), Paul speaks about the sufferings and hopes of the apostolic life. This part can be divided into following sections:
4:1 - Christian apostolate is rooted in God’s mercy. God is using human agents to communicate the Gospel of Mercy. This fact motivated the apostles not to give up despite all difficulties they face.
4:2 - three things are mentioned here: (1) dishonesty, (2) craftiness, and (3) deceitfulness.
It was (and is) common to preach in order to please people (1 Thess 2:4), hiding certain things - perhaps the difficult truth of the Gospel. It was common that business people mixed products - good things with bad things, to deceive customers. Certain preachers behaved in the same way by falsifying the word of God (changing its content).
Paul does the opposite - “manifesting the truth”. So, people can judge by themselves the sincerity of the apostle.
4:3–4 - for the Gospel being veiled see 2 Cor 3:15.
Now, here we have the explanation why the Gospel preached by Paul is veiled for Jews and Gentiles. The blame is on “the god of this age” - he blinds the minds of the perishing.
“This age” refers to philosophical and cultural trends that influence the way people think and act contrary to God’s will and design. “The god do this age” refers to Satan, the great deceiver of humanity (see Luke 4:5–6; John 8;44; 1 John 2:15–17).
Here, we see two groups: (1) one is blinded by the god of this age; (2) second is enlightened by light of the Gospel.
Thus, the basic task of an apostle is to remove the veil that blinds the people - proclamation of the truth, and to make all efforts that the light of the Gospel will shine upon them.
The Gospel as light.
4:5 - in connection with 4:2 we have another difference between Paul and some other preachers. They preached themselves, Paul preaches Christ as Lord and presents himself as Christ’s ‘slave-servant’ for the sake of the Corinthians. The idea of a servant is interesting - it refers to a ruler, who hires a worker to serve the people on the ruler’s behave. So, Paul is serving the Corinthians in Christ’s name.
4:6 (Gen 1:3; John 8:12; Rom 3:23; Heb 1:3) - The proclamation of the Gospel as the new creation. Light - the Gospel - shines in the darkness of sin (see John 1:5).
Christ as the light. The Gospel contains this light - namely the proclamation that Christ is risen. God let the apostles to encounter the risen Christ. Now, they can bring this light to the lives of others.
4:7 (2 Cor 12:9) - the Gospel about the Son of God who defeated death, sin, and Satan is the treasure, but the apostles are frail human beings. Paradoxically, such a great treasure God placed in the hands of such frail humans, to show that “the excellence of its power” comes from God, not from the people.
4:8–11
The contrast between the power of the Gospel and human frailty is seen in the experience of the apostles. How is it possible that despite so much hardships they persist in preaching the Gospel? The power comes from God - or from the Gospel - that treasure they posses - itself.
The content of the Gospel is the proclamation of Christ’s death and His resurrection. Paradoxically, Christ’s death and His resurrection is visible - as if re-enacted - in the lives of the apostles:
Sufferings = Christ’s death; Overcoming those sufferings = Christ’s resurrection - life (Mark 8:34; Rom 8:17; Phil 3:10).
4:12.15 - But, those sufferings have positive impact on the faithful. It is for the sake of those who will hear the Gospel and thus be saved. Moreover, those who already believe get benefits as well. Seeing their pastors facing such trials and not being overcome by them, their faith in God’s power and providence gets strengthen. They thank and praise God
4:13–14 (Ps 116:10 LXX) - Proclamation springs from faith. Paul, like Abraham, believes in God of Rom 4:17 - the God who raised the dead and brings to existence the things that did not exist. Being assured of Christ’s resurrection - Paul met the risen Lord himself - he is also sure - he knows - that he and the Corinthians - whom he preached the Gospel - shall be raised up “with Jesus”.
This resurrection with Christ is the consequence of being united with Christ in sufferings.
4:15 - The ‘success’ of the Gospel glorifies God. Those who get enlightened by the light of the Gospel thank God for the grace of salvation.
4:16 - Again, Paul says that despite sufferings he does not give up. Of course, the sufferings wears out the “outward man” - physical aspect of human person - but that is not all. The “inner man” is getting renewed daily (2 Cor 3:18 - the transformation into the image of Christ).
In Ephesians 3:17 - it is the Holy Spirit that strengthens the “inner man”.
4:17 (see Rom 8:18; Matt 5:11–12). Paul considers his sufferings “light” (if one reads 2 Cor 11:21–28, they do not see light at all). The verse indicates that there is a relations between present sufferings and future glory - again the idea rooted in Christ’s sufferings - the Cross - leading to His glorious resurrection.
4:18 (Heb 11:1.3; Rom 8:24–25)
If Paul looked only at his life so filled with sufferings, he could indeed despair. If there was nothing to life than only this life then such a life was pure foolishness (see 1 Cor 15:19). But, Paul - like all the ancestors in Hebrew 11 - looks beyond this life - into that invisible reality that is more real than the visible one.
Who only looks at the visible things (Phil 3:19; Rom 8:5) gets into trouble. Our citizenship is in heaven, not here. Here we are just pilgrims - quickly passing by (Phil 3:20).