1.

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

Verse 1
This ministry; the charge of the new and glorious dispensation referred to in the 2 Corinthians 3:4-18.

2.

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Verse 3
Is hid; remains unknown; is not received.

4.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6.

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.

7.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Verse 7
Earthen vessels; it is committed to an obscure and unworthy instrumentality.--May be of God; may appear evidently to be of God.

8.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9.

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10.

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Verse 10
Bearing about in the body, &c.; continually exemplifying in our lives that endurance of suffering which characterized the life of the Savior. The word dying is put for suffering, in antithesis to the word life. Cases of this kind often occur among the sacred writers, where words are used in one or the other of the parallel clauses of a sentence, with some latitude of meaning, in order to preserve a contrast of expression in the two clauses. For examples, see the word hate, in and in Romans 9:13.

11.

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

Verse 11
Delivered unto death; exposed to death.

12.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Verse 12
The meaning is, we give ourselves up to the power and dominion of death, that spiritual life may be bestowed upon you.

13.

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Verse 13
The same--according as it is written; that is, the same spirit with that referred to in the passage in which it is written, &c. (Psalms 116:10.)

14.

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

15.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Verse 15
Of many; of the many saved by it.

16.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Verse 16
We faint not, we are not discouraged.--Our outward man; that which pertains to present and temporal welfare.--The inward man; the soul, in respect to its spiritual interests.

17.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Verse 17
Light affliction; light in comparison with the glory which shall follow.

18.

While we look not 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.

Verse 18
We look not at; we do not regard.--The things which are seen; the things relating to this life, that is, the sufferings of which he had been speaking.