2 Corinthians 4:13-18 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Corinthians 4:13-18. Let’s go!
2 Corinthians 4:13-14 (NIV)
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,
14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.
On verses 13-14: Paul quotes this verse “I believed; therefore I have spoken” from Psalm 116:10 as a reminder to him and his team to keep speaking out what they believe, declaring God’s Word over their lives and reminding themselves of the truth that just as God raised Jesus from the dead, so God will raise Paul and his team up from the greatest hardships, even death itself.
When you’re going through great hardship the way Paul was, one of the best things you can is speak out your faith and speak out God’s Word. Praise God! There are thousands of promises from the Bible you can hang onto. For example, verses 16 and 17 below are worth memorizing and declaring. When you declare in faith what you know to be right and true, it keeps you from sinking into hopelessness or drifting into distraction.
2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)
15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
On verse 15: From the many times he mentions the Corinthians in this letter, you can tell that Paul is very aware that whatever he is going through is not just about him but is meant to help others. Even in his hardships, Paul is not self-consumed. He’s still thinking about how God can use what he is going through to help others. May we have that kind of mature perspective when we go through hardships. Ask yourself: what story do I want to tell those who come after me, and live accordingly. Who can I help as a result of what I’m going through?
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (NIV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
On verses 16 and 17: By almost anyone’s standards, the trials Paul was experiencing were significant, but Paul keeps eternity in mind and say, these troubles are just “light and momentary troubles” (v17). He keeps his eyes on the prize and his focus on the eternal glory that awaits him at the end of his race. Likewise, when you go through hardship, as difficult as it seems at the time, remember that compared to what Jesus went through for us on the cross, these hardships are “light and momentary”. Remind yourself that if you would persevere through the trial and keep doing what’s right, eternal and all surpassing glory (eternity with Jesus, good standing and blessings in heaven, the smile of the Father) is waiting for you and is just around the corner.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
On verse 18: Your joy in life will depend on what you fix your eyes on. If you fix your eyes on your problems, you’ll be consumed by negative, anxious, complaining thoughts. If you fix your eyes on pornography, you’ll be consumed by lustful, adulterous thoughts. If you fix your eyes on prosperity, you’ll be consumed by greedy, self-idolizing thoughts. If you fix your eyes on things that are temporary, you’ll be consumed by superficial, useless thoughts. But if, like Paul says, you fix your eyes on Jesus the “unseen” one, you’ll be consumed by the things that consumed Him: the love of God, love for people, and a passion to live life to the fullest, with an eternal perspective in mind. So in your hardships, fix your eyes on Jesus and on heaven.
Thank You Jesus that what I’m going through today is light and momentary compared to what the eternal glory that awaits me because of what You went through for me. May I have the right heart and perspective to face my circumstances today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
