Question 1

What does Paul mean when he says "we faint not" in this passage?

Accepted Answer

When Paul says “we faint not,” he is talking about not giving up in his work as a minister of the gospel, even though it is hard and often painful. He knows this ministry was given by God’s mercy, not earned by his own worth. That mercy keeps him going. Instead of letting troubles or opposition stop him, he leans on the grace that first called him. This helps him stay steady and keep preaching Christ, trusting that the same God who began the work will give strength to continue.

Question 2

What are the "hidden things of dishonesty" that Paul says he has renounced?

Accepted Answer

The “hidden things of dishonesty” are secret, shameful ways of acting, especially in teaching and dealing with people. Paul is saying that he and his co-workers refuse tricks, lies, and double motives. They do not twist God’s word, hide parts of it, or use it to gain power or money. Instead, they speak plainly and truthfully, so that anyone’s conscience can test what they say. They live and preach as if God is watching, wanting their hearts, words, and actions to match, with nothing sneaky or fake behind the scenes.

Question 3

How can the gospel be "hid" to those who are lost in this text?

Accepted Answer

Paul says the gospel is “hid” to those who are lost, not because the message itself is unclear, but because their hearts and minds are closed to it. They hear the words, but they do not see the glory of Christ in them. This hiding is a sign of their lost condition. They turn away from believing, and in that unbelief they remain blind. There is no other message that will save them, so if they refuse this light, they stay in darkness, unless God in mercy opens their eyes to the truth about Jesus.

Question 4

Who is the "god of this world" that blinds the minds of unbelievers?

Accepted Answer

The “god of this world” is a way of speaking about the devil, who has great influence over people who do not trust in Christ. He blinds minds by feeding lies, keeping people in ignorance, stirring up pride, and using sin and distractions so they will not see the beauty of Christ or the hope in the gospel. His aim is to keep them from seeing the light of the good news about Jesus, who shows us what God is like. Where he keeps people in darkness, they stay away from God’s saving light.

Question 5

What does the phrase "Christ, who is the image of God" mean here?

Accepted Answer

When Paul calls Christ “the image of God,” he is saying that Jesus shows us God perfectly. In him, God’s power, wisdom, love, and mercy are seen clearly. If you want to know what God is like, you look at Christ. This is why the gospel about Christ is called “glorious” in the passage. Through Jesus’ life, death, and rising again, God’s glory is made known. So when the devil blinds people to Christ, he is really keeping them from seeing who God truly is and how God has provided salvation.

Question 6

What does Paul mean by "we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord"?

Accepted Answer

Paul is saying that the message is not about him, his abilities, or his opinions. He does not set himself at the center. Instead, he proclaims Jesus as Lord, the true Master and Saviour. He also calls himself and the other ministers “your servants for Jesus’ sake,” showing that their role is to serve the church, not rule over it for their own gain. Their whole aim is to point people away from human leaders and toward Christ, so that faith rests on him alone and not on any teacher.

Question 7

What is the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"?

Accepted Answer

This phrase describes how God makes himself known in a saving way. Just as God once said, “Let there be light,” and light filled the dark world, now he shines into human hearts. He gives inner light so people can know his glory as it appears in Jesus. The “face of Jesus Christ” points to Christ as he is shown in the gospel, especially in his death and rising again. In seeing Christ with the eyes of faith, a person comes to know God’s beauty, grace, and greatness, not just as ideas, but as living truth.

Question 8

How does this passage describe the right way to handle the word of God?

Accepted Answer

The passage shows that the right way to handle God’s word is with honesty, openness, and a clear conscience before God. Paul rejects craftiness and any twisting of the message. Instead, he sets the truth out plainly, trusting that God will work through it. The aim is not to win people by tricks, but to let the truth reach their consciences. This means teachers should avoid hiding hard parts, watering down the message, or using it to serve their own pride. They must remember they speak under God’s eye.

Question 9

Why does Paul connect God creating light with God shining in human hearts?

Accepted Answer

Paul connects creation light with heart light to show that the same powerful God is at work in both. At the beginning, God spoke and physical light broke into the darkness. Now, in a similar way, God speaks through the gospel and causes spiritual light to shine inside people. This inner light is the knowledge of his glory seen in Christ. By using this picture, Paul reminds his readers that faith is not just human effort. It is God’s work, bringing life and sight where there once was only darkness.

2 Corinthians 4:1

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

The Light of the Gospel

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2 Corinthians 4:1

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

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The Light of the Gospel

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