We Do Not Lose Heart

Paul defends the integrity of his ministry. Having received it by mercy, he does not lose heart. He has renounced secret and shameful ways, refusing to distort God's word, and commends himself to every conscience by the open statement of the truth. If the Good News is veiled, it is veiled to those perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded. Paul's message is not about himself; he proclaims Jesus Christ as Lord and himself as a servant for Jesus' sake.

The source of the message is God's creative power. The God who said light will shine out of darkness, as at creation, has shone in believers' hearts to give the knowledge of His glory in the face of Christ. This treasure is held in clay vessels, cheap pottery lamps or jars, so that the surpassing power is clearly God's and not human.

Paul's paradoxes describe the shape of faithful ministry. Afflicted but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed, he carries in his body the dying of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed. The same Spirit of faith that moved the psalmist to speak moves Paul. Therefore he does not lose heart. The outer person is wasting away, but the inner person is renewed day by day. Present affliction is light and momentary, preparing an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison.