But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
The old adage that you cannot judge the value of something by the packaging it comes in is certainly true of Christians. Like valuable treasure buried in dirt (See Matthew 13:44), or a precious pearl hidden in an oyster (See Matthew 13:46), the human container does not reflect the value of the gospel treasure it holds.
Paul communicated that truth not simply by principle but by example as well.
As he penned this epistle, Paul was under furious attack in
Their attack was merciless, relentless, and petty.
The false attacks on him put Paul between a rock and a hard place. If he defended himself against their slander, which he had to do to hold the church to the truth, he risked looking proud. And, in truth, no one was more acutely aware of his shortcomings than Paul himself. In fact, he was constantly amazed that he was in the ministry at all.
How then was Paul to extricate himself from this dilemma?
Rather than deny the false allegations that he was weak and imperfect, he embraced them. Thus he declared that the priceless truth of the gospel was held in a humble container. In fact, his weaknesses, far from being reasons to reject him, were among his most convincing credentials. And in order to express this, he used the analogy of a precious treasure kept in a clay pot. Paul's imperfections stood out in stark relief against the shining glory of the gospel. But if God could not use imperfect people, there would be no one in the ministry.
Even the noblest saints were far from perfect.
Paul was merely another in a long line of clay pots that God has successfully used. In spite of his humanity it is evident not from his human abilities, skills, or achievements, but from his spiritual character of his genuineness. This Scripture unfolds seven spiritual characteristics that marked Paul as a very useful clay pot. He was humble, invincible, sacrificial, fruitful, faithful, hopeful, and worshipful.
Can these characteristics be seen in your own life as well?
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