2 Corinthians 4-5
Gaining Your
Glory-suit

In this imprecatory psalm David seeks deliverance from the proud, evil enemies who attack him verbally and conspire against him physically. He expresses faith in God's protection of him, even though God has let him be in the situation. He calls down nasty judgment upon them, which they completely deserve. David knows that since God is just, He will maintain his cause and turn the tables on the bad guys. David expresses confidence that he will be delivered by noting that the righteous will give thanks to His name (manifestation of His character in answering their prayer), and that the upright (the righteous who pass the test of the storm -Ps 11) will dwell in His presence. By stating this, he is asserting his own righteousness and uprightness.

The ministry to which Paul refers is that described in the previous chapter, that of ministering the truth of the New Covenant, with its Holy Spirit, life changing power, which transforms believers into the image of Christ, with resultant glory. Paul manifests (only used elsewhere in 1 Corinthians 12:7 of the obvious manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives) the truth, by causing it to be written on people's hearts, with resultant life change (“living epistles” in 3:3 make sure you understand that), which causes Paul's ministry to be approved or commended by the recipients conscience (awareness of what is good or bad), as they are blessed by it (“Hey, this stuff works, try it!”). Paul does so in full consciousness that he serves in the sight of God (doing what is right in His sight – see 5:9-10).

The good news or gospel that Paul was preaching “is having been hidden” in/among those who are perishing. This is a periphrastic perfect (like Ephesians 2:8) using a present and a perfect verb to emphasize the present continuing results of something that happened in the past. See chapter 3 and Acts 28:27 for the callousness to truth that results in the “veiling.” Note that the perfect indicates an event in the past, not a state in which one was born. It's something that occurred as a specific event in one's history. This should be earth (or at least theology) shattering for some. Those who reject truth, wind up being insensitive to it, so that even if it is proclaimed and authenticated with miracles, they won't see it. Those are the ones who are perishing (headed to judgment and destruction), which in the context is loss of reward/glorification, not lack of justification. Note the passage is about glory.

The god of this world, Satan (who grasped at the glory of God and missed it) has blinded (aorist tense, giving a snapshot of usually past action) the minds (to which he has access) of the unbelieving (those who aren't believing Paul's message), lest the light of the gospel of the glory (it's about the glory, not forgiveness) of the Messiah, the image of God (the promised ruler of the world to come) should not dawn on them (so they won't get the glory).

This is the message Paul preaches about Jesus the Messiah, as Lord, and why he views himself as a servant of Jesus for the benefit of the Corinthians (who are already justified).

The God of creation began this world with “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), a localized manifestation of the glory/energy of God, that eventually took shape as our material world (temporarily, the end is coming). God commanded the light to shine out of darkness and also to shine in our hearts. This is a reference to the Holy Spirit (see verse 7) being given to believers (Ephesians 1:17-18), so that they might know the hope (of glory - Ephesians 1:18; 4:1) that accompanies their belief/calling. This shining gives the light (here Paul's being clever again with multiple shades of meanings being given to the same concept in the same passages), which in this instance is the Spirit giving the knowledge of the glory of God, because they've already received the first down-payment (2 Corinthians 1:22). Since they've received the first-installment they know that it exists and is possible, and for them. This is the glory God has promised to those faithful to the Messiah, which is experienced in the face/presence of Christ, the Messiah (cf 2 Corinthians 3:18). But they have this treasure (of a measure of the Spirit shining in them like a firefly flying around in a jar) in an earthen vessel, so that God's power/glory might be seen rather than theirs. As they depend on Him, his power will shine through them as He strengthens and protects, but there is a different shining that Paul has in mind, as elaborated in the next section.

As a common earthen vessel, Paul, and those serving with him, experience difficulties because of their service of Christ in Satan's world, filled with his agents. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31 that “I die daily.” In verse 10 Paul uses dying (nekrosis) rather than death (thanatos) to make the point that he is constantly dying to self (same verb in Colossians 3:5 -mortify) which is sourced in his relationship with Christ, not proclaiming the death (thanatos) of Christ. He dies daily to do the Father's will, as Christ did, so that the life of Christ might be revealed in his body. This is the use of a subjunctive aorist to give a snapshot of a future event. Verse 11 just elaborates what he described in verse 10. Those who live for Jesus will die daily (Luke 9:23-26 “take cross and follow me to glory”), so the life/dominion/glory of Christ will be manifest, revealed, in the mortal flesh (as it is swallowed up by life 5:4). Verse 12 means that as Paul ministers for the benefit of the Corinthian believers, death is at work in him, so that life might be at work in them.

Because Paul believes what God has revealed, he speaks the truth (risking death), knowing that if he dies, God will raise him up (and give him glory) just like He did with Christ. That glorification will occur with those who respond to the truth. Paul ministers by the grace of God so that the Corinthians will receive it and multiply it so there will be much thanksgiving, which reveals God at work, and thus His glory. Therefore, Paul doesn't lose heart. Though outwardly he experiences the wear and tear of opposition, his inner self (man is added) is being renewed (only used in Colossians 3:10) daily. At first glance this looks like something that happens in the here and now, but the next verse makes it clear that it is future glory. Verse 17 makes it obvious that Paul is talking about his glory in the kingdom (as does the next chapter). He views the daily dying as a lightweight annoyance, which produces (works out) a far greater and more abundant glory, that he describes as eternal (vs temporal affliction), and weighty (vs lightweight affliction). Suffering to do the will of God is meritorious and earns a reward (a future bestowal of grace -1 Peter 1). Those who've never studied grace should, to see how the Bible uses it in past/justification, present/sanctification, and future/glorification aspects. Fortunately there is a Survey of Grace on Truthbase.net, which does that for you, but study it yourself and develop your own convictions.

So Paul focuses not on what is seen, the temporal afflictions, but on what is not seen, the eternal glory with which he will be clothed, if he endures (see next chapter) when Christ returns.

Paul knows that our earthly body is just a temporary tent compared to the enduring building God has for us in heaven, which lasts forever. Therefore, while in this decaying mortal human form, we groan (as in express grief), longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling so that we might not be found naked.

Romans 8:23 Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.

I still remember a conversation I had a quarter century ago, with an acquaintance, for fifteen minutes one night, under a street lamp across from Carnegie Hall. He said, grace, light, power, and glory, are synonyms; then he referenced something about nakedness in Genesis, and our passage in 5:2, and challenged me to check it out. As I walked home, a light flickered, and as I dug into the Scriptures, it became a floodlight that has shone clearly though all the difficult passages of the Bible (thanks Ron!). God's grace is the coin of the realm of heaven; it's what enables business to be transacted in the spiritual realm, and accomplishes God's purposes on earth as well. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 we see that it powers saints on earth as well. God's grace or power is a manifestation of His character. The Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29) is also the Spirit of glory (1 Peter 4:14). I don't want to deprive you of the joy of discovery, but will highlight the case for the terms being synonymous as we progress. See the discussion under Digging Deeper for Nakedness in Genesis, where it's seen how salvation reverses the effects of the Fall, regaining the right to live forever -justification, the holiness and relationship with God that Adam lost -sanctification, and finally restores us to glory -glorification. This is the sense in which Paul doesn't want to be found naked. He wants to be clothed with glory, a glory-suit, so that what is mortal (his physical body) may be swallowed up by life (glory). But wait, there's more. This is the purpose for which God has created us! If you understand Ephesians 3:10, you know this. If not, see comments there, or under Digging Deeper. God has made us for future glory (not just present forgiveness/justification), and given us the first installment of that future glory, by putting the Spirit in our earthen vessel (this is parallel to the parable of the talents the servants received in the gospel, if you get this, you're seeing clearly). Knowing that God's plan is to restore believers to pre-Fall glory, merited though faithful suffering (see Job), Paul has confidence to face the trials, realizing that while in the physical body we are away from our real home which is in heaven with the glorified Lord.

 Therefore (conclusion which follows from the above) Paul wants to please God, so he'll receive glory from Him. Paul gives us his ambition and motivation: his aim is to be well-pleasing to his Lord; his motivation is knowing that he'll be judged and receive good or bad in his body, according to what he has done (as in hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” - you have to have done something, done it well, been good, been faithful, and been a servant, to hear this). See the detailed explanation and analysis of verses 9-10 under 7 PASSAGES (Our Relationship with the Lord Jesus). Memorize, study, and meditate on these verses, they make all the difference in this life and the next. Your choice.

 Knowing the fear of the Lord (being careful to do what is right in His sight because He is the just Judge of both believers and unbelievers), Paul persuades men regarding the truth regardless of the opposition. God knows what he does and why, and the conscience of the Corinthians should as well. Paul isn't boasting, but giving them ammunition to defend him against the agents of the dark side. If he appears a fool, it's for Christ's sake (remember Festus in Acts 26:24-25). If on the other hand, Paul appears sane, it is for the purpose of ministering to them. The love of Christ is either Christ's love for people or Paul's love for Christ, both are possible and both senses are used in other Scriptures, but the former (a subjective genitive) is preferable in light of the context. The following verses speak of God loving people as shown by His death for them (Romans 5:8), but the preceding argument is that of fearing the Lord and appearing before His judgment seat. He wants to do what is pleasing to Christ, which is having on his heart what is on Christ's heart, which is the reconciliation of people to Himself (so He's able to share His glory with them in His kingdom is the fuller story). Since Christ died for all, all were dead (lacked dominion, see comments on eternal life under Digging Deeper), and thus needed to be brought back to life, so that they would not live for themselves, but for Him who died for their forgiveness, and was raised for their glorification (see comments on Romans 4:25).

As a result of his commitment to Christ' purposes, Paul no longer views people from a worldly perspective. Anyone in Christ is a new creation, the old person is gone and the new is here to stay. See comments on 5:17 in the TMS section of the post on Romans 6. God has reconciled or brought back into relationship (Matthew 5:24) those who were alienated from Him, and given them the job of ambassadors to bring others into relationship with Him. Verse 20 is either: 1) the content of what Paul announces; or 2) an appeal to the Corinthians, who were already believers; or 3) an appeal to those who were antagonistic to Paul, and not believers. The best choice is number 2; the concept of reconciliation goes beyond forgiveness to a holy and righteous relationship, to which Paul was exhorting them. This fits the opening plea and concluding appeal of the next chapter, to not receive the grace of God in vain, and be holy and blessed by God. Thus verse 21 is saying that Jesus died for our sins, so that in Him, or better, in union with Him, we might (hina+subjunctive = intended, not guaranteed purpose, otherwise it would have been “result”) become the righteousness of God. It appears that Paul uses reconciliation in two senses. To the world (verse 19) it involves not counting their trespasses against them; but to those who believe (who have been reconciled in that sense) God wants a relationship that can only be achieved by holy righteousness (verse 20). The next chapter will make this point (6:1; 14-18), so don't reject it until you read and understand it in the context.