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2 Corinthians 4:1-6

You can read the text here.

Paul and his co-workers faced real difficulties during their missionary journeys. However, he knew that God was always sustaining them so they carried on. Since they have a ministry that reveals glory, they preach openly and honestly, with no deception and nothing to hide. They plainly appeal to everyone, speaking the truth before God. Now not everyone perceives the truth in their message, so it is veiled to some, but they are not going to participate in the life in the age to come anyways.[1] Seeing the gospel is equivalent to hearing with faith. This is what Satan prevents.[2] The enemy has blinded them so that cannot see God's glory in the person of Jesus, the Christ.[3] That is what they preach, Jesus, not themselves, they are his servants, and hence theirs as well.[4] This is Paul's experience, that God moves when received with faith. His glorious light shone into Paul and transformed him via knowledge of God through the sight of Jesus. What he preaches is what he saw and experienced.[5]


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[1] This seems to me to imply divine foreknowledge not predestination.

[2] As Thrall notes, it is Satan's fault, not Paul's when people don't respond faithfully. I'll add it's not God's fault either in Paul's mind.

[3] Matera draws out the strong contrast between the God of this world blinding and God who brings light.

[4] As Thrall notes, Paul may see himself imitating Jesus this way, being their servant just as Jesus is their servant.

[5] Matera and Thrall both make clear this is autobiographical.
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