The Light of the Gospel

1Because of this, having this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor falsifying the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience before God.

3But if indeed our gospel is concealed, it is concealed to those who are perishing, 4in whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so as for not to beam forth the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord; and ourselves as your servants for the sake of Jesus. 6For it is God, having said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,”a who shone in our hearts for the radiance of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.b

Treasures in Jars of Clay
(Romans 6:1-14)

7Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassingness of the power may be from God, and not from us, 8being hard pressed in every way but not being crushed, being perplexed but not despairing, 9being persecuted but not being forsaken, being struck down but not being destroyed, 10always carrying around the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus also should be manifested in our body. 11For we the living are always being delivered to death on account of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So then, death works in us, but life in you.

13But having the same spirit of faith according to that having been written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,”c we also believe and therefore speak, 14knowing that the One having raised up the Lord Jesus also will raise us up through Jesus and will present us with you. 15For all things are for your sake, so that the grace having abounded through more and more people may increase the thanksgiving to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not lose heart; but indeed if our outward man is being brought to decay, yet our inner self is being renewed day and day. 17For the momentary lightness of our affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far surpassing to excessiveness. 18We are not looking at the things being seen, but the things not being seen. For the things being seen are temporary, but the things not being seen are eternal.