HIS PREACHING IS OPEN AND SINCERE, THOUGH TO MANY THE GOSPEL IS HIDDEN. (2Co. 4:1-18) Therefore--Greek, "For this cause": Because we have the liberty-giving Spirit of the Lord, and with unveiled face behold His glory …
1Por lo cual, teniendo nosotros este ministerio según la misericordia que hemos recibido, no desmayamos.
2Antes bien renunciamos a lo oculto y vergonzoso, no andando con astucia, ni adulterando la palabra de Dios, sino por la manifestación de la verdad recomendándonos a toda conciencia humana delante de Dios.
3Pero si nuestro evangelio está aún encubierto, entre los que se pierden está encubierto;
4en los cuales el dios de este siglo cegó el entendimiento de los incrédulos, para que no les resplandezca la luz del evangelio de la gloria de Cristo, el cual es la imagen de Dios.
5Porque no nos predicamos a nosotros mismos, sino a Jesucristo como Señor, y a nosotros como vuestros siervos por amor de Jesús.
6Porque Dios, que mandó que de las tinieblas resplandeciese la luz, es el que resplandeció en nuestros corazones, para iluminación del conocimiento de la gloria de Dios en la faz de Jesucristo.
7Pero tenemos este tesoro en vasos de barro, para que la excelencia del poder sea de Dios, y no de nosotros,
8que estamos atribulados en todo, mas no angustiados; en apuros, mas no desesperados;
9perseguidos, mas no desamparados; derribados, pero no destruidos;
10llevando en el cuerpo siempre por todas partes la muerte de Jesús, para que también la vida de Jesús se manifieste en nuestros cuerpos.
11Porque nosotros que vivimos, siempre estamos entregados a muerte por causa de Jesús, para que también la vida de Jesús se manifieste en nuestra carne mortal.
12De manera que la muerte actúa en nosotros, y en vosotros la vida.
13Pero teniendo el mismo espíritu de fe, conforme a lo que está escrito: Creí, por lo cual hablé, nosotros también creemos, por lo cual también hablamos,
14sabiendo que el que resucitó al Señor Jesús, a nosotros también nos resucitará con Jesús, y nos presentará juntamente con vosotros.
15Porque todas estas cosas padecemos por amor a vosotros, para que abundando la gracia por medio de muchos, la acción de gracias sobreabunde para gloria de Dios.
16Por tanto, no desmayamos; antes aunque este nuestro hombre exterior se va desgastando, el interior no obstante se renueva de día en día.
17Porque esta leve tribulación momentánea produce en nosotros un cada vez más excelente y eterno peso de gloria;
18no mirando nosotros las cosas que se ven, sino las que no se ven; pues las cosas que se ven son temporales, pero las que no se ven son eternas.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 2
I. renounced--literally, "bid farewell to."
renounced--literally, "bid farewell to."
of dishonesty--rather, "of shame." "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" (Rom 1:16). Shame would lead to hiding (Co2 4:3); whereas "we use great plainness of speech" (Co2 3:12); "by manifestation of the truth." Compare Co2 3:3, "manifestly declared." He refers to the disingenuous artifices of "many" teachers at Corinth (Co2 2:17; Co2 3:1; Co2 11:13-15).
handling . . . deceitfully--so "corrupt" or adulterate "the word of God" (Co2 2:17; compare Th1 2:3-4).
commending--recommending ourselves: recurring to Co2 3:1.
to--to the verdict of.
every man's conscience-- (Co2 5:11). Not to men's carnal judgment, as those alluded to (Co2 3:1).
in the sight of God-- (Co2 2:17; Gal 1:10).
II
Versículo 3
II. But if--Yea, even if (as I grant is the case).
But if--Yea, even if (as I grant is the case).
hid--rather (in reference to Co2 3:13-18), "veiled." "Hid" (Greek, Col 3:3) is said of that withdrawn from view altogether. "Veiled," of a thing within reach of the eye, but covered over so as not to be seen. So it was in the case of Moses' face.
to them--in the case only of them: for in itself the Gospel is quite plain.
that are lost--rather, "that are perishing" (Co1 1:18). So the same cloud that was "light" to the people of God, was "darkness" to the Egyptian foes of God (Exo 14:20).
III
Versículo 4
III. In whom--Translate, "In whose case."
In whom--Translate, "In whose case."
god of this world--The worldly make him their God (Phi 3:19). He is, in fact, "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that ruleth in the children of disobedience" (Eph 2:2).
minds--"understandings": "mental perceptions," as in Co2 3:14.
them which believe not--the same as "them that are lost" (or "are perishing"). Compare Th2 2:10-12. SOUTH quaintly says, "when the malefactor's eyes are covered, he is not far from his execution" (Est 7:8). Those perishing unbelievers are not merely veiled, but blinded (Co2 3:14-15): Greek, not "blinded," but "hardened."
light of the glorious gospel of Christ--Translate, "The illumination (enlightening: the propagation from those already enlightened, to others of the light) of the Gospel of the glory of Christ." "The glory of Christ" is not a mere quality (as "glorious" would express) of the Gospel; it is its very essence and subject matter.
image of God--implying identity of nature and essence (Joh 1:18; Col 1:15; Heb 1:3). He who desires to see "the glory of God," may see it "in the face of Jesus Christ" (Co2 4:6; Ti1 6:14-16). Paul here recurs to Co2 3:18. Christ is "the image of God," into which "same image" we, looking on it in the mirror of the Gospel, are changed by the Spirit; but this image is not visible to those blinded by Satan [ALFORD].
IV
Versículo 5
IV. For--Their blindness is not our fault, as if we had self-seeking aims in our preaching.
For--Their blindness is not our fault, as if we had self-seeking aims in our preaching.
preach . . . Christ . . . the Lord--rather, "Christ as Lord," and ourselves as your servants, &c. "Lord," or "Master," is the correlative term to "servants."
V
Versículo 6
V. For--proof that we are true servants of Jesus unto you.
For--proof that we are true servants of Jesus unto you.
commanded the light--Greek, "By speaking the word, commanded light" (Gen 1:3).
hath shined--rather, as Greek, "is He who shined." (It is God) who commanded light, &c., that shined, &c., (Job 37:15): Himself our Light and Sun, as well as the Creator of light (Mal 4:2; Joh 8:12). The physical world answers to the spiritual.
in our hearts--in themselves dark.
to give the light--that is, to propagate to others the light, &c., which is in us (compare Note, see on Co2 4:4).
the glory of God--answering to "the glory of Christ" (see on Co2 4:4).
in the face of Jesus Christ--Some of the oldest manuscripts retain "Jesus." Others omit it. Christ is the manifestation of the glory of God, as His image (Joh 14:9). The allusion is still to the brightness on Moses' "face." The only true and full manifestation of God's brightness and glory is "in the face of Jesus" (Heb 1:3).
VI
Versículo 7
VI. "Lest any should say, How then is it that we continue to enjoy such unspeakable glory in a mortal…
"Lest any should say, How then is it that we continue to enjoy such unspeakable glory in a mortal body? Paul replies, this very fact is one of the most marvellous proofs of God's power, that an earthen vessel could bear such splendor and keep such a treasure" [CHRYSOSTOM, Homilies, 8.496, A]. The treasure or "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God." The fragile "earthen vessel" is the body, the "outward man" (Co2 4:16; compare Co2 4:10), liable to afflictions and death. So the light in Gideon's pitchers, the type (Jdg 7:16-20, Jdg 7:22). The ancients often kept their treasures in jars or vessels of earthenware. "There are earthen vessels which yet may be clean; whereas a golden vessel may be filthy" [BENGEL].
that the excellency of the power, &c.--that the power of the ministry (the Holy Spirit), in respect to its surpassing "excellency," exhibited in winning souls (Co1 2:4) and in sustaining us ministers, might be ascribed solely to God, we being weak as earthen vessels. God often allows the vessel to be chipped and broken, that the excellency of the treasure contained, and of the power which that treasure has, may be all His (Co2 4:10-11; Joh 3:30).
may be of God . . . not of us--rather, as Greek, "may be God's (may be seen and be thankfully [Co2 4:15] acknowledged to belong to God), and not (to come) from us." The power not merely comes from God, but belongs to Him continually, and is to be ascribed to him.
VII
Versículo 8
VII. Greek, "BEING hard pressed, yet not inextricably straitened; reduced to inextricable straits" (no…
Greek, "BEING hard pressed, yet not inextricably straitened; reduced to inextricable straits" (nominative to "we have," Co2 4:7).
on every side--Greek, "in every respect" (compare Co2 4:10, "always"; Co2 7:5). This verse expresses inward distresses; Co2 4:9, outward distresses (Co2 7:5). "Without were fightings; within were fears." The first clause in each member of the series of contrasted participles, implies the earthiness of the vessels; the second clause, the excellency of the power.
perplexed, but not in despair--Greek, "not utterly perplexed." As perplexity refers to the future, so "troubled" or "hard pressed" refers to the present.
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. not forsaken--by God and man. Jesus was forsaken by both; so much do His sufferings exceed those …
not forsaken--by God and man. Jesus was forsaken by both; so much do His sufferings exceed those of His people (Mat 27:46).
cast down--or "struck down"; not only "persecuted," that is, chased as a deer or bird (Sa1 26:20), but actually struck down as with a dart in the chase (Heb 11:35-38). The Greek "always" in this verse means, "throughout the whole time"; in Co2 4:11 the Greek is different, and means, "at every time," "in every case when the occasion occurs."
IX
Versículo 10
IX. bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus--that is, having my body exposed to being p…
bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus--that is, having my body exposed to being put to death in the cause of Jesus (the oldest manuscripts omit "the Lord"), and having in it the marks of such sufferings, I thus bear about wheresoever I go, an image of the suffering Saviour in my own person (Co2 4:11; Co2 1:5; compare Co1 15:31). Doubtless, Paul was exposed to more dangers than are recorded in Acts (compare Co2 7:5; Co2 11:26). The Greek for "the dying" is literally, "the being made a corpse," such Paul regarded his body, yet a corpse which shares in the life-giving power of Christ's resurrection, as it has shared in His dying and death.
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body--rather, "may be." The name "Jesus," by itself is often repeated here as Paul seems, amidst sufferings, peculiarly to have felt its sweetness. In Co2 4:11 the same words occur with the variation, "in our mortal flesh. The fact of a dying, corpse-like body being sustained amidst such trials, manifests that "the (resurrection) life also," as well as the dying, "of Jesus," exerts its power in us. I thus bear about in my own person an image of the risen and living, as well as of the suffering, Saviour. The "our" is added here to "body," though not in the beginning of the verse. "For the body is ours not so much in death, as in life" [BENGEL].
X
Versículo 11
X. we which live--in the power of Christ's "life" manifested in us, in our whole man body as well as…
we which live--in the power of Christ's "life" manifested in us, in our whole man body as well as spirit (Rom 8:10-11; see on Co2 4:10; compare Co2 5:15). Paul regards his preservation amidst so many exposures to "death," by which Stephen and James were cut off, as a standing miracle (Co2 11:23).
delivered unto--not by chance; by the ordering of Providence, who shows "the excellency of His power" (Co2 4:7), in delivering unto DEATH His living saints, that He may manifest LIFE also in their dying flesh. "Flesh," the very element of decay (not merely their "body"), is by Him made to manifest life.
XI
Versículo 12
XI. The "death" of Christ manifested in the continual "perishing of our outward man" (Co2 4:16), work…
The "death" of Christ manifested in the continual "perishing of our outward man" (Co2 4:16), works peculiarly in us, and is the means of working spiritual "life" in you. The life whereof we witness in our bodily dying, extends beyond ourselves, and is brought by our very dying to you.
XII
Versículo 13
XII. Translate as Greek, "BUT having," &c., that is, not withstanding the trials just mentioned, we ha…
Translate as Greek, "BUT having," &c., that is, not withstanding the trials just mentioned, we having, &c.
the same spirit of faith, according as it, &c.--Compare Rom 8:15, on the usage of "spirit of faith." The Holy Spirit acting on our spirit. Though "death worketh in us, and life in you" (Co2 4:12), yet as we have the same spirit of faith as you, we therefore [believingly] look for the same immortal life as you [ESTIUS], and speak as we believe. ALFORD not so well translates, "The same . . . faith with that described in the Scriptures" (Psa 116:10). The balance of the sentence requires the parallelism to be this, "According to that which is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak," namely, without fear, amidst "afflictions" and "deaths" (Co2 4:17).
XIII
Versículo 14
XIII. Knowing--by faith (Co2 5:1).
Knowing--by faith (Co2 5:1).
shall raise up us also--at the resurrection (Co1 6:13-14).
by Jesus--The oldest manuscripts have "with Jesus."
present us--vividly picturing the scene before the eyes (Jde 1:24).
with you-- (Co2 1:14; Th1 2:19-20; Th1 3:13).
XIV
Versículo 15
XIV. For--Confirming his assertion "with you" (Co2 4:14), and "life . . . worketh in you" (Co2 4:12).
For--Confirming his assertion "with you" (Co2 4:14), and "life . . . worketh in you" (Co2 4:12).
all things--whether the afflictions and labors of us ministers (Co2 4:8-11), or your prosperity (Co2 4:12; Co1 3:21-22; Co1 4:8-13).
for your sakes-- (Ti2 2:10).
abundant grace, &c.--rather, "That grace (the grace which preserves us in trials and works life in you), being made the greater (multiplied), by means of the greater number (of its recipients), may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God." [CHRYSOSTOM] (Co2 1:11; Co2 9:11-12). The Greek is susceptible also of this translation, "That grace, being made the greater (multiplied) on account of the thanksgiving of the greater number (for grace already received), may abound (abundantly redound) to," &c. Thus the Greek for "abound" has not to be taken in an active sense, but in its ordinary neuter sense, and so the other Greek words. Thanksgiving invites more abundant grace (Ch2 20:19-22; Psa 18:3; Psa 50:23).
XV
Versículo 16
XV. we faint not--notwithstanding our sufferings. Resuming Co2 4:1.
we faint not--notwithstanding our sufferings. Resuming Co2 4:1.
outward man--the body, the flesh.
perish--"is wearing away"; "is wasted away" by afflictions.
inward man--our spiritual and true being, the "life" which even in our mortal bodies (Co2 4:11) "manifests the life of Jesus."
is renewed--"is being renewed," namely, with fresh "grace" (Co2 4:15), and "faith" (Co2 4:13), and hope (Co2 4:17-18).
16
Versículo 17
16. which is but for a moment--"Our PRESENT light (burden of) affliction" (so the Greek; compare Mat …
which is but for a moment--"Our PRESENT light (burden of) affliction" (so the Greek; compare Mat 11:30), [ALFORD]. Compare "now for a season . . . in heaviness" (Pe1 1:6). The contrast, however, between this and the "ETERNAL weight of glory" requires, I think, the translation, "Which is but for the present passing moment." So WAHL. "The lightness of affliction" (he does not express "burden" after "light"; the Greek is "the light of affliction") contrasts beautifully with the "weight of the glory."
worketh--rather, "worketh out."
a far more exceeding and--rather, "in a surpassing and still more surpassing manner" [ALFORD]; "more and more exceedingly" [ELLICOTT, TRENCH, and others]. Greek, "in excess and to excess." The glory exceeds beyond all measure the affliction.
17
Versículo 18
17. look not at--as our aim.
look not at--as our aim.
things . . . seen--"earthly things" (Phi 3:19). We mind not the things seen, whether affliction or refreshment come, so as to be seduced by the latter, or deterred by the former [CHRYSOSTOM].
things . . . not seen--not "the invisible things" of Rom 1:20, but the things which, though not seen now, shall be so hereafter.
temporal--rather, "for a time"; in contrast to eternal. English Version uses "temporal" for temporary. The Greek is rightly translated in the similar passage, "the pleasures of sin for a season."
Next: 2 Corinthians Chapter 5
Nuevo Testamento
2 Corinthians — Capítulo 4
HIS PREACHING IS OPEN AND SINCERE, THOUGH TO MANY THE GOSPEL IS HIDDEN. (2Co. 4:1-18) Therefore--Greek, "For this cause": Because we have the liberty-giving Spirit of the Lord, and with unveiled face behold His glory …
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Por lo cual, teniendo nosotros este ministerio según la misericordia que hemos recibido, no desmayamos.
2Antes bien renunciamos a lo oculto y vergonzoso, no andando con astucia, ni adulterando la palabra de Dios, sino por la manifestación de la verdad recomendándonos a toda conciencia humana delante de Dios.
3Pero si nuestro evangelio está aún encubierto, entre los que se pierden está encubierto;
4en los cuales el dios de este siglo cegó el entendimiento de los incrédulos, para que no les resplandezca la luz del evangelio de la gloria de Cristo, el cual es la imagen de Dios.
5Porque no nos predicamos a nosotros mismos, sino a Jesucristo como Señor, y a nosotros como vuestros siervos por amor de Jesús.
6Porque Dios, que mandó que de las tinieblas resplandeciese la luz, es el que resplandeció en nuestros corazones, para iluminación del conocimiento de la gloria de Dios en la faz de Jesucristo.
7Pero tenemos este tesoro en vasos de barro, para que la excelencia del poder sea de Dios, y no de nosotros,
8que estamos atribulados en todo, mas no angustiados; en apuros, mas no desesperados;
9perseguidos, mas no desamparados; derribados, pero no destruidos;
10llevando en el cuerpo siempre por todas partes la muerte de Jesús, para que también la vida de Jesús se manifieste en nuestros cuerpos.
11Porque nosotros que vivimos, siempre estamos entregados a muerte por causa de Jesús, para que también la vida de Jesús se manifieste en nuestra carne mortal.
12De manera que la muerte actúa en nosotros, y en vosotros la vida.
13Pero teniendo el mismo espíritu de fe, conforme a lo que está escrito: Creí, por lo cual hablé, nosotros también creemos, por lo cual también hablamos,
14sabiendo que el que resucitó al Señor Jesús, a nosotros también nos resucitará con Jesús, y nos presentará juntamente con vosotros.
15Porque todas estas cosas padecemos por amor a vosotros, para que abundando la gracia por medio de muchos, la acción de gracias sobreabunde para gloria de Dios.
16Por tanto, no desmayamos; antes aunque este nuestro hombre exterior se va desgastando, el interior no obstante se renueva de día en día.
17Porque esta leve tribulación momentánea produce en nosotros un cada vez más excelente y eterno peso de gloria;
18no mirando nosotros las cosas que se ven, sino las que no se ven; pues las cosas que se ven son temporales, pero las que no se ven son eternas.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 2
I. renounced--literally, "bid farewell to."
Versículo 3
II. But if--Yea, even if (as I grant is the case).
Versículo 4
III. In whom--Translate, "In whose case."
Versículo 5
IV. For--Their blindness is not our fault, as if we had self-seeking aims in our preaching.
Versículo 6
V. For--proof that we are true servants of Jesus unto you.
Versículo 7
VI. "Lest any should say, How then is it that we continue to enjoy such unspeakable glory in a mortal…
Versículo 8
VII. Greek, "BEING hard pressed, yet not inextricably straitened; reduced to inextricable straits" (no…
Versículo 9
VIII. not forsaken--by God and man. Jesus was forsaken by both; so much do His sufferings exceed those …
Versículo 10
IX. bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus--that is, having my body exposed to being p…
Versículo 11
X. we which live--in the power of Christ's "life" manifested in us, in our whole man body as well as…
Versículo 12
XI. The "death" of Christ manifested in the continual "perishing of our outward man" (Co2 4:16), work…
Versículo 13
XII. Translate as Greek, "BUT having," &c., that is, not withstanding the trials just mentioned, we ha…
Versículo 14
XIII. Knowing--by faith (Co2 5:1).
Versículo 15
XIV. For--Confirming his assertion "with you" (Co2 4:14), and "life . . . worketh in you" (Co2 4:12).
Versículo 16
XV. we faint not--notwithstanding our sufferings. Resuming Co2 4:1.
Versículo 17
16. which is but for a moment--"Our PRESENT light (burden of) affliction" (so the Greek; compare Mat …
Versículo 18
17. look not at--as our aim.