Study 5 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10
1.
Why has God placed the ‘treasure’
of 4:6 in a weak vessel—the earthen vessel of man’s frail human nature? How
does this arrangement work out in actual experience? See 4:7-12. How do present afflictions appear to the eye
of faith, and what prospect is seen at the end? See 4:13-18.
2.
In 5:1-4 Paul defines one aspect
of the future prospect more closely. What awaits him after death? Or, if Christ
should come first, as would be Paul’s desire (verse 4), what awaits him at His
coming? How is Paul sure that this prospect is no mirage, and what effect has
it upon his present aim? See verse 5-10.
Notes
- 4:10-12. Cf. 1:8-10; 6:9.
- 5:3, 4. ‘Not be found naked’: a
reference to the unclothing that takes place at death, when the spirit
leaves its earthly body. Paul’s desire was, as verse 4 shows, that he
might live to see the second coming, and to escape death. Cf. 1 Cor. 15:53.
- 5:10. The issues of the
judgement here spoken of are not eternal life or death; but praise or
blame, glory or disgrace. Cf. 1 Jn. 2:28.