06 Why Paul Did Not Lose Heart and What We Can Learn From Him (2 Corinthians 4)

Wednesday in the Word

Paul offers a powerful defense of his ministry, explaining how the gospel he proclaims is not about him, but about the transforming power of God. Though Paul faces rejection, suffering, and accusations, he remains unwavering because he knows the source of the message and the One who is truly at work through it.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why Paul insists he is not the source of the gospel’s power and what that means for his critics.
• How Paul contrasts human weakness (jars of clay) with the divine treasure of the gospel.
• What it means that the “god of this world” blinds unbelievers, and why Paul isn’t discouraged by rejection.
• How Paul connects the glory of God to the face of Christ, echoing imagery from Moses and the Old Covenant.
• Why Paul refuses to tamper with the message, even when it leads to suffering.
• The hope that sustains Paul through affliction: an eternal glory far outweighing the temporary trials of ministry.

What you’ll gain from this episode:

You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of Paul’s view of ministry, not as a showcase of human strength, but as a vessel for God’s glory. Learn why Christian hope isn’t rooted in visible success or public approval, but in the unseen, eternal work God is doing in and through us.

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Why Paul Did Not Lose Heart (2 Corinthians 4)

Paul responds to criticism of his ministry by affirming that the power of the gospel does not come from the messenger; it comes from God. His suffering, weakness, and rejection do not discredit his message. Instead, they showcase the surpassing power and glory of God.

Review

Paul began defending his ministry almost immediately. His changed travel plans (1:15–17) led some in Corinth to question his commitment. He said he would visit and then did not. Paul explains why he changed his plans.

He chose not to visit because their relationship had deteriorated after the sorrowful visit. If he had come as planned, he suspected the visit would be painful for them, so he decided to spare them.

Paul insists his conscience is clear. He behaved with sincerity and concern.

His defense revolves around three repeated ideas:

1. Paul is not adequate to produce the results his ministry has produced. The gospel is beyond him. He is just a man. He did not invent something so powerful and wise.
2. Paul speaks with openness and integrity. He is not a salesman manipulating people to “buy” the gospel. He speaks the simple truth as if in the presence of God.
3. The gospel is about God working a spiritual transformation in his people. This ministry of transformation is greater than the Old Testament law, which means Paul’s ministry is, in a very audacious way, greater than the ministry of Moses.

Paul walks a fine line. He claims his gospel has huge impact, but he is not bragging about himself. His job is to preach the gospel. Understanding the gospel is a matter of life and death. His ministry is incredibly important, not because he is a big deal, but because his message is a big deal.

He is not adequate to produce the result. God works through Paul’s ministry to bring it about.

Paul is about to finish this section by returning to how he pursues his ministry.

Let me remind you, Paul uses “we” but is talking about himself.

We Do Not Lose Heart

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. – 2 Corinthians 4:1–7

Paul describes his ministry. He proclaims the message that brings people face to face with God. His glory becomes their glory. This is a great ministry beyond description, and God in his mercy gave it to Paul.

So he is not ashamed of this gospel. He proclaims it openly. He does not adulterate it, even if that might make him more popular. He leaves it to each hearer to decide what to do with it.

He knows many will reject what he says, but that does not make him ashamed or hesitant.

If the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, those whose eyes Satan has blinded.

Paul is not the issue. The response is not about whether Paul is entertaining, sophisticated, or charismatic. Paul is not preaching Paul. He preaches Christ. He is a servant who proclaims the gospel of Christ.

From Moses to Christ: Light, Glory, and the Veil

2Co 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

At the end of chapter 3, Paul compared his ministry to Moses. God revealed himself to Moses as a bright light, and that light was reflected on Moses’ face.

When the glory shone on Moses’ face, it authenticated his ministry. When Moses returned with the law, the people saw the glow and knew he had been with God. It was a sign that Moses spoke the truth.

But the people were afraid, so Moses veiled his face. The glory of God was too much for them to bear.

Now Paul shifts the metaphor. The veil keeps people from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Up to this point, Paul has spoken of the glory of God on Moses’ face and the glory of God becoming ours through the Spirit’s work. Now he brings Jesus into focus. Jesus is the image of God. In him we see the glory of God in the form of a man.

Christ is the true Moses. Moses reflected God’s glory physically. Christ perfectly reflects God’s glory in his person.

This glory is not an external shine. It is the inner reality of God’s wisdom and character expressed in Jesus.

Light in the Darkness

Remember, Paul is talking about himself and his ministry.

His first metaphor is darkness and light: God said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” and he has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. Paul was in darkness. He did not understand the gospel. He rejected it and tried to arrest and kill those who believed it.

But God, who shines light in the darkness, shone the light into Paul’s life so Paul now has light to take to the world. He understands the gospel and the glory of God in the face of Christ.

God made the wisdom of the gospel shine out of the foolish heart of Paul. He once did not get it, but now he carries this light to the nations.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

This repeats a theme from earlier. Paul is not adequate to do this. He could not have invented the gospel or produced its effects. He is like a cheap clay pot holding an incredible treasure.

The cheap clay pot highlights how great the treasure is. Paul’s weakness makes clear that the power is God’s, not Paul’s.

This speaks directly into the situation in Corinth. Many were not impressed with Paul. They wanted a more eloquent, sophisticated speaker and a message tailored to the elites.

But the treasure of the gospel has been placed in an earthen pot, which is Paul. The contrast between his weakness and the gospel’s effect shows the message is from God. It does not matter how impressive or unimpressive Paul is. God is at work through him.

Later Paul will say, “You think my speech is unimpressive. Perhaps. But not my knowledge.” He is making the same point.

He is a cheap earthen pot. He agrees. But this pot contains a great treasure. You cannot throw away the pot without throwing away the treasure, and you do not want to lose the treasure.

Here is how Paul wants the Corinthians to think about him. Yes, he is weak. He wept many tears writing to them. He was so worried that he passed up an opportunity for ministry. He is not the kind of speaker they want to hear.

But his ministry as an apostle is strong. He proclaims a message of forgiveness and spiritual transformation with openness and integrity.

His many weaknesses highlight that Paul is not the one doing it. The gospel is the work of God.

Transformation Begins Now

The gospel is about transformation, and it begins now.

Paul told the Corinthians they themselves were his letter of recommendation. The transformation was already visible among them. That is true for us today as well.

Speaking as a person with many flaws and weaknesses, I am counting on that transformation. Like Paul, I have been criticized for not being entertaining enough or not marketing this podcast well enough. All I can say is that I am counting on God to overcome my many flaws and spread his word to his people.

This is not only about ministry. It is personal. In spite of the selfishness I see in myself, I have also seen transformation in me and among my friends, family, and church.

It is a wondrous thing to watch as we grow strong in faith together. We find strength to persevere through trials. We see moments where we joyfully show mercy, compassion, and kindness in ways we would not have in our younger days.

One day we will perfectly reflect his wisdom and moral beauty as Jesus does now. That is a day we eagerly long for.

What Paul says of himself is also true of us. But our task as Bible students is first to understand what he means in context.

Jesus does in reality what Moses pictured physically. Jesus is a perfect reflection of God’s glory, his character, and his wisdom. As the image of God, Jesus shows us who God is. He did not literally glow, but he continually reflected God’s glory.

Jesus came to impart that glory to us. It will be as if we enter the holy of holies, look at God, and have his glory rub off on us. One day we will share fully in the wisdom and moral beauty of our Creator. We will be like Jesus, who is like God.

That is the hope of the gospel, the hope of the glory of God.

Suffering Without Despair

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. – 2 Corinthians 4:8–12

Twice in this chapter Paul says, “We do not lose heart.” He opens with it in 4:1 and will repeat it in 4:16.

What might make Paul lose heart, and why does he not?

Paul is talking about the rejection and suffering he experiences as an apostle. He still has in view the claim that his ministry is greater than Moses’. When he considers how many reject his message, he could lose heart. He could be ashamed of the gospel because it gets him into trouble and is widely rejected.

He could water down the message so more people would respond positively. He does not. He speaks the truth plainly.

He knows many cannot see the glory of the gospel. Satan has blinded their minds. He cannot change that. He speaks the truth and lets the chips fall where they may. Their hostility does not change his strategy.

No matter how much hostility and rejection he encounters, he does not lose heart. The gospel will win. It will find its people. Paul is confident that God will use the gospel to save those God wants to save.

He does not need to sell himself. He needs to shine forth the light of the gospel, and people will respond as they will.

Paul is still talking about his ministry. It could be said of all Christians that we are earthen vessels holding a great treasure. I have heard that taught many times. But here Paul speaks specifically about his ministry.

First he used the imagery of light in the darkness. He is not smart enough to be an apostle. God shone the light of the gospel into the darkness of Paul’s mind.

Then he said he is not strong enough in himself to be an apostle. God’s power is at work. He is a clay pot, unimpressive and weak. That contrast only highlights how great the treasure is and how powerful God is.

Paul makes it clear what he has in mind. He is afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. He carries in his body the dying of Jesus.

In this context, Paul is talking about his ministry. Just as Jesus suffered and died in his ministry, Paul also suffers in his. Jesus proclaimed the truth, the world hated him, and eventually killed him. The same pattern marks Paul’s life.

He is always on the brink of death because of the world’s reaction to his gospel. But that is only half the story.

Paul is just a clay pot with no particular merit or strength. Yet the power of God shines through. He may be afflicted, but God keeps him from being crushed. He may be perplexed, facing such hostility that the path forward is hard to see, but he is not driven to despair. He may be persecuted, but not forsaken. He may be struck down, but not destroyed.

He carries in his body the dying of Jesus. You can see the scars and the marks left by beatings and bruises.

That is so God can demonstrate the power of the resurrection in him. Paul’s life shows the living Jesus at work, helping him bear a burden no one could bear alone. The burden of being an apostle of Jesus Christ is beyond any one person. Paul bears it because the power of God is at work in him.

What is the result? As he has said from the beginning of the letter, his sufferings are for the sake of believers like the Corinthians. So he says again in verse 12, death works in us, but life in you.

As an apostle, he shares in Christ’s sufferings because people try to kill him as they tried to kill Jesus. He faces death so he might impart the message of life to others. This is the kind of ministry God has given Paul. This is why, even in hostility and persecution, he does not lose heart.

Believe and Speak

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. – 2 Corinthians 4:13–15

Paul says yes, he proclaims the gospel for their sake. Ultimately, his sufferings are for their sake.

But he also proclaims it because he believes it. He himself believes the message he calls them to believe. He hopes that he too will be raised by Jesus and stand with those who respond to his message.

He quotes Psalm 116:10. The psalmist suffered, yet maintained faith in God. God ultimately rescued him. Because he believed, he spoke.

That is what Paul is doing. Even though he suffers, he continues to speak the gospel because he believes it. “I believed, and so I spoke.”

He hopes to stand together with the Corinthians at the end. The more people believe through the gospel, the more thanksgiving rises to God for his grace.

The Eternal Weight of Glory

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:16–18

This passage is often taken out of context as a statement about aging. It is fine to apply it that way. Our bodies decay, but God renews our souls.

In context, Paul is talking about his afflictions as an apostle. He is afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. Pursuing his ministry is beating him up. He is constantly facing death.

Later Paul will list his sufferings in detail. He calls them “light momentary afflictions” to contrast them with the glory ahead.

This word afflictions is important. He has been using it throughout the letter.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Paul connects his afflictions with the sufferings of Christ, which is exactly what he describes in chapter 4. He carries in his body the dying of Jesus. He, as an apostle, suffers the same sort of rejection Jesus suffered, and he embraces these afflictions for the sake of people like the Corinthians.

He also spoke of the afflictions that came upon him in Asia. They were so bad he thought he would die.

So when Paul talks about afflictions here, he means the sufferings he has undergone as an apostle. Many afflict and persecute him because they hate the gospel, but he does not lose heart.

He does not lose heart because he remembers his eternal inheritance.

Why Paul Does Not Lose Heart

Paul is still defending his ministry. Some Corinthians are inclined to see him as a loser. Why do so many reject his message? Why is his life so painful and messy? Why is he so unimpressive? If Paul were more successful, they might take him seriously. But they see many rejecting him.

Paul considers the rejection and suffering he faces. In spite of these, he does not lose heart for two reasons.

• First, he knows the reaction is not about him. It is about the gospel. If he faithfully preaches the gospel, some will accept it and some will reject it. That is how it works. He admits he is not up to the job. He is foolish, but God has given him the wisdom of the gospel. He is weak, but God helps him stand in suffering and persecution. He is on the right path with the right message told in the right way.
• Second, he knows the outcome of his sufferings will be eternal life. When his current sufferings are over, he will enter into eternal life. The Corinthians should be concerned to enter that same life.

Our Takeaway

Paul repeats a simple conviction: he will not lose heart. The message he carries is God’s, not his own, so rejection or hardship does not shake him. He is an ordinary jar of clay, yet God uses that weakness to show the gospel’s power. Setbacks never overturn the deeper truth that God sustains him.

We can adopt the same perspective. As we proclaim Jesus in whatever ways God calls us to, we will face rejection and criticism.

Our challenges will be real, but they are temporary. God is shaping an eternal future that outweighs present trouble. God is in charge of the results. We can trust him.

So we keep speaking the truth and serving others, confident that the God who raised Jesus will bring us through as well. In that confidence, we do not lose heart.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 07 Why We Should Not Fear Death (2 Corinthians 5:1-11)

Previous: 05 Why Paul’s Ministry Outshines Moses (2 Corinthians 3:7-18)

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

Resources to help you study: 2 Corinthians

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Podcast season 26, episode 6