2 Corinthians 4:7

ἔχομεν δὲ τὸν θησαυρὸν κ. τ. λ.: but, sc., in contrast to the glowing and exultant phrases of 2 Corinthians 4:6, we have this treasure, sc., of “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God,” in earthen vessels. The comparison of man, in respect of his powerlessness and littleness in God's eyes, to an earthen jar made by a potter for his own purposes and of any shape that he wills is common in the O.T. (Job 10:9; Isaiah 30:14; Jeremiah 19:11; see 2EEsther 4:11), and St. Paul works out the idea in Romans 9:20 ff. He also distinguishes here and at 2 Timothy 2:20 between different kinds of σκεύη, illustrating thereby the difference between men; while he himself is elsewhere called σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς, and St. Peter calls woman ἀσθενέστερον σκεῦος (see reff.). In the present passage σκεῦος seems to be used specially for the human body (cf. 2 Esdras 7 [88], vas corruptibile), as the thought in the Apostle's mind is (mainly) of his own physical infirmities; the figure being derived from the ancient custom of storing gold and silver in earthenware pots. The treasure of the Gospel light is contained in an “earthen vessel,” a frail body which may (seemingly) at any moment succumb (cf. Job 4:19 and see 2 Corinthians 5:1 below). This may appear surprising, that so great a treasure should seem to be exposed to the mishaps which may befall the perishable jar in which it is contained; but yet (though St. Paul does not pursue this line of thought here) it is the very principle of the Incarnation that the heavenly is revealed and received through the earthly, for “the Word became flesh” (St. John 1:14). ἵνα ἡ ὑπερβολὴ τῆς δυνάμεως κ. τ. λ.: that the exceeding greatness of the power, sc., which triumphs over all obstacles, may be God's and not from ourselves. The weakness of the instrument is to demonstrate the Divinity of the power which directs it (cf. chap. 2 Corinthians 12:9 and 1 Corinthians 2:5).