2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Study Note
Study Note
The paradox 'we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us' applies the image of clay pots containing precious substances to the apostolic experience of divine power mediated through human weakness. The 'treasure' is the gospel of the glory of Christ (4:6), and the 'earthen vessels' (ostrakina skeuē) evoke both fragility (pottery shatters easily) and the common clay of Genesis 2:7 (humanity formed from dust). The following catalogue of afflictions (4:8-12: 'troubled, perplexed, persecuted, cast down') supplies the concrete content of 'earthen vessel' existence in ministry. The theological purpose clause — 'that the excellency of the power may be of God' — transforms ministerial weakness from embarrassment to theological strategy, a theme Paul develops fully in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Other Translations
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us;
But we have this wealth in vessels of earth, so that it may be seen that the power comes not from us but from God;
Cross References
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and …
And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and …
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with …
And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a …
And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, …
And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the …
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the …
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a …
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, …
Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things …