Coffee & Devotions

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

With Bryan Schneider · Sharon RP Church

Published August 30, 2022

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0:0018:53

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Opening Prayer

Thank God for the day, the blessing of his Word, and friends who read it with us, and ask that we follow him and walk in his ways.

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Scripture Passage



Cast Down but Unconquered

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Seeing the Invisible

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.




The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 4:7-18

A — About

What Is This Passage About?

Believers carry God's treasure in fragile bodies so the power is clearly his. They may be pressured, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, yet God does not abandon or destroy them; the resurrection of Jesus guarantees their resurrection, and temporary affliction renews and refines them for eternal glory.

B — Best Verse

Which Verse Best Summarizes the Passage?

2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 14, 18

Bryan agrees with verses 8-9, extends the choice through verse 10, and also explicitly names verses 14 and 18. Together they move from suffering without defeat, through confidence in resurrection, to an eternal focus beyond what is presently seen.

C — Called or Christ

C — Called to Do

Do not lose heart in affliction. Look toward God's eternal glory rather than temporary circumstances, and receive daily renewal through prayer, Scripture, hearing the Word, the Lord's Supper, and encouragement from other Christians.

Devotional Study

Transcript of the devotion. Minor transcription errors may remain.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

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Cast Down but Unconquered

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Seeing the Invisible

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.




The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 4:7-18

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