2 Corinthians 4-6

New International Version

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy^(A) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.^{(B) 2} Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(C) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(D) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(E) in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel^(F) is veiled,^(G) it is veiled to those who are perishing.^{(H) 4} The god^(I) of this age^(J) has blinded^(K) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,^(L) who is the image of God.^{(M) 5} For what we preach is not ourselves,^(N) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(O) and ourselves as your servants^(P) for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a](Q) made his light shine in our hearts^(R) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(S)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(T) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(U) and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side,^(V) but not crushed; perplexed,^(W) but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted,^(X) but not abandoned;^(Y) struck down, but not destroyed.^{(Z) 10} We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,^(AA) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.^{(AB) 11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,^(AC) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.^(AD)

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[b](AE) Since we have that same spirit of^[c] faith,^(AF) we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead^(AG) will also raise us with Jesus^(AH) and present us with you to himself.^{(AI) 15} All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving^(AJ) to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.^(AK) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(AL) we are being renewed^(AM) day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^{(AN) 18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(AO) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly^(AP) tent^(AQ) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan,^(AR) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^{(AS) 3} because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan^(AT) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^(AU) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(AV)

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.^{(AW) 8} We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^{(AX) 9} So we make it our goal to please him,^(AY) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us^(AZ) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,^(BA) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.^{(BB) 12} We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,^(BC) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,^(BD) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³ If we are “out of our mind,”^(BE) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.^{(BF) 15} And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves^(BG) but for him who died for them^(BH) and was raised again.

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly^(BI) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(BJ) the new creation^(BK) has come:^[d] The old has gone, the new is here!^{(BL) 18} All this is from God,^(BM) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(BN) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.^(BO) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,^(BP) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(BQ) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.^{(BR) 21} God made him who had no sin^(BS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.^(BT)

6 As God’s co-workers^(BU) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.^{(BV) 2} For he says,

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,^(BX) so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments^(BY) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^{(BZ) 6} in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(CA) and in sincere love;^{(CB) 7} in truthful speech^(CC) and in the power of God;^(CD) with weapons of righteousness^(CE) in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor,^(CF) bad report^(CG) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^{(CH) 9} known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(CI) and yet we live on;^(CJ) beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(CK) poor, yet making many rich;^(CL) having nothing,^(CM) and yet possessing everything.^(CN)

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.^{(CO) 12} We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children^(CP)—open wide your hearts^(CQ) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together^(CR) with unbelievers.^(CS) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?^{(CT) 15} What harmony is there between Christ and Belial^[g]?^(CU) Or what does a believer^(CV) have in common with an unbeliever?^{(CW) 16} What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?^(CX) For we are the temple^(CY) of the living God.^(CZ) As God has said:

¹⁷ Therefore,

¹⁸ And,