“For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” -2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (KJV)
“This treasure in earthen vessels” is translated in later versions as “treasures in jars of clay.” Whichever way it is stated, this reference means each of us who has given his/her life to Him to shape, to mold, to be used in His service. We are His treasure in the very body we dwell in on this earth.
It is awesome to think that God, the Creator Himself, who gave His word and light came forth from darkness, who spoke and the world came into being, who commanded and life sprang forth--He is the same God who gives us revelation of His glory through the Lord Jesus Christ.
And then, still holding us in awesome wonder, we are His “treasure in earthen vessels.” Take a look at yourself. The human body is a remarkable living entity, with each part working in harmony to give life, health and purpose to our individual existence on earth. Unless we are beset by some illness or calamity, we usually live out a life span of threescore years, or in many instances, threescore plus ten and even more. But this treasure of life we hold in our perishable body (earthen vessel, jar of clay) has a purpose. Paul reminds us what it is: “to show this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (II Cor 4:7b, NIV). He made “His light shine in our hearts” (II Cor. 4:6). And with that light comes “the knowledge of the glory of God.” And how do we know this knowledge goes beyond the Law, first given to Moses for the Israelites, and then, the fuller revelation coming to us by His grace? We behold it in the life of Jesus Christ, as Paul stated it: “in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Scholars seem to agree that for Paul the Apostle, his “treasure in earthen vessels” was the work of ministry, of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. He and his team members did just that, whether they were in prison, on missionary journeys preaching the word, or with pen and scroll writing epistles to the churches (which have been kept and canonized as parts of our Bible). But what is our “treasure” in our own “earthly vessel”? It is our yielding to God, being “clay in the Potter’s hands,” (Jeremiah 18:6), allowing Him to use the talents and abilities that are unique to each of us for His glory and for the benefit of others. And while we are thus giving, the “earthen vessel” itself realizes a true purpose and becomes more beautiful in the hands of the Potter.
Who among us does not desire this worthy goal?
“This treasure in earthen vessels” is translated in later versions as “treasures in jars of clay.” Whichever way it is stated, this reference means each of us who has given his/her life to Him to shape, to mold, to be used in His service. We are His treasure in the very body we dwell in on this earth.
It is awesome to think that God, the Creator Himself, who gave His word and light came forth from darkness, who spoke and the world came into being, who commanded and life sprang forth--He is the same God who gives us revelation of His glory through the Lord Jesus Christ.
And then, still holding us in awesome wonder, we are His “treasure in earthen vessels.” Take a look at yourself. The human body is a remarkable living entity, with each part working in harmony to give life, health and purpose to our individual existence on earth. Unless we are beset by some illness or calamity, we usually live out a life span of threescore years, or in many instances, threescore plus ten and even more. But this treasure of life we hold in our perishable body (earthen vessel, jar of clay) has a purpose. Paul reminds us what it is: “to show this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (II Cor 4:7b, NIV). He made “His light shine in our hearts” (II Cor. 4:6). And with that light comes “the knowledge of the glory of God.” And how do we know this knowledge goes beyond the Law, first given to Moses for the Israelites, and then, the fuller revelation coming to us by His grace? We behold it in the life of Jesus Christ, as Paul stated it: “in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Scholars seem to agree that for Paul the Apostle, his “treasure in earthen vessels” was the work of ministry, of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. He and his team members did just that, whether they were in prison, on missionary journeys preaching the word, or with pen and scroll writing epistles to the churches (which have been kept and canonized as parts of our Bible). But what is our “treasure” in our own “earthly vessel”? It is our yielding to God, being “clay in the Potter’s hands,” (Jeremiah 18:6), allowing Him to use the talents and abilities that are unique to each of us for His glory and for the benefit of others. And while we are thus giving, the “earthen vessel” itself realizes a true purpose and becomes more beautiful in the hands of the Potter.
Who among us does not desire this worthy goal?
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