2 Corinthians 4: Treasure in Clay Jars

Paul says that because God in mercy gave him this ministry, he does not lose heart. He refuses deceptive methods and openly proclaims the truth, preaching not himself but Jesus Christ as Lord. The same God who said light would shine out of darkness has shone in believers' hearts with the knowledge of His glory in the face of Christ. This treasure is held in clay jars, so that the power is clearly God's. Though afflicted, perplexed, and struck down, believers are not crushed or destroyed. Their outer self is wasting away, but their inner self is renewed day by day, as they look to the eternal things that are unseen.

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Read 2 Corinthians 4

World English Bible · 18 verses

¹ Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² So then death works in us, but life in you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also through Jesus, and will present us with you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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2 Corinthians 4 · Preschool

Treasure in a Jar

Name Date

Color the clay jar and the light inside. God's light shines in us!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Show a plain jar. Say: Something precious can be inside a plain jar. God puts His treasure, the good news of Jesus, inside His people.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Corinthians 4 · Grade 4

Renewed Day by Day

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul says that because God gave him this ministry by mercy, he does not lose heart. He refuses tricks and openly tells the truth. Some cannot see the Good News because the god of this age has blinded their minds. Paul does not preach himself but Jesus Christ as Lord.

The God who said light would shine out of darkness has shone in believers' hearts. They see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Paul says this treasure is kept in clay jars, ordinary and breakable, so that everyone can see the power belongs to God.

Paul lists his troubles. He was pressed on every side but not crushed, puzzled but not in despair, hunted but not abandoned, knocked down but not destroyed. Though his body was wearing out, his inner self was renewed day by day. His troubles were light and short compared with eternal glory. So he looked not at things seen, which are temporary, but at things unseen, which are eternal.

Show What You Know

Why does Paul not lose heart?
Where do believers see the glory of God?
Why is the treasure kept in clay jars?
Why did Paul look at things unseen?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

GodeternalglorylightGood

Paul says that because gave him this ministry by mercy, he does not lose heart.
Some cannot see the News because the god of this age has blinded their minds.
They see the of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
His troubles were and short compared with eternal glory.
So he looked not at things seen, which are temporary, but at things unseen, which are .

Think About It

Paul says God's power shows best through weak, ordinary people. How can a weakness in your life become a place where God's strength is seen?
Paul's inner self was renewed day by day. What helps you stay strong on the inside when things are hard on the outside?

Memory Verse

“Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.”

2 Corinthians 4:16 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the treasure of the Good News. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can God's strength show through weakness?
What helps you stay strong inside?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Corinthians 4 · Grade 5

We Do Not Lose Heart

Name Date

Read and Think

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.

Show What You Know

How does Paul commend himself to every conscience?
What does the light shining out of darkness recall?
Why is the treasure held in clay vessels?
How does Paul describe present affliction?

Crossword

Across

For we don’t preach ____

Down

But ____ in you
But though our outward ____ is decaying
Even if our Good News is ____
____ will shine out of darkness

Think About It

Paul's paradoxes show that faithfulness does not mean freedom from trouble. How does this shape your expectations for following Christ?
Paul says he looks not at the things seen but at the things unseen. What does it look like to live with eternity in view?

Memory Verse

“Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.”

2 Corinthians 4:16 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the treasure of the Good News. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

When you feel crushed, what helps you keep going?
What does living with eternity in view look like?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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2 Corinthians 4: Treasure in Clay Jars

Read 2 Corinthians 4

Worksheets

Treasure in a Jar

Prayer

Take It Home

God's Treasure

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Treasure in Clay Jars

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Prayer

Take It Home

A Treasure Inside

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Do Not Lose Heart

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Treasure in Clay Jars

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Renewed Day by Day

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

We Do Not Lose Heart

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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