TREASURE in Earthen Vessels

Our Scripture today is from 2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us; 2Co 4:8  in every way having been troubled, but not having been hemmed in; having been perplexed, but not utterly at a loss; 2Co 4:9  having been persecuted, but not having been forsaken; having been thrown down, but not having been destroyed; 2Co 4:10  always bearing about the dying of the Lord Jesus in the body, so that the life of Jesus also might be revealed in our body.

(MKJV, www.e-sword.net)

I have always been stunned by that phrase, 'so that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us'. Perhaps, the context is key, 'we have this treasure in earthen vessels'. What happens to down-to-earth material holding Divine Supernatural Properties?

Now, the following phrases make sense:

1. in every way having been troubled, but not being hemmed in
2. having been perplexed, but not utterly at a loss
3. having been persecuted, but not having been forsaken
4. having been thrown down, but not having been destroyed

Troubled, perplexed, persecuted, thrown down, yet, not being hemmed in, not utterly at a loss, not forsaken, not destroyed. What a contrast! And yet so should it be. Because we, earthen vessels, hold a Divine Treasure.

Some questions requiring a response:

1. What indeed is this 'treasure'? Or should it be capital 'T' for Treasure?

Again, the context helps. This chapter in 2 Cor 4, can be summed up this way; we have this ministry of the truth of God's Word, this glorious gospel, which is Christ crucified and resurrected. Jesus Christ Himself, the Light of the glorious gospel, lives in us, giving us 'superabounding grace' (2 Cor 4:15).

No wonder the enigma of walking by faith and not by sight, which the apostle would soon be touching in the following chapter.

And so we need to expect troubling times, perplexing periods, persecution and being thrown down, yet, because of this Treasure of Christ Himself, 'dwelling in our hearts through faith', we are not hemmed in, not at a loss, not forsaken and not destroyed.

Christ in us gives us strength to persevere in faith. Christ in us gives us grace to endure 'our present affliction'.

We have yet to plumb the width, length, depth and height of the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. The Holy Spirit is our Parakletos (One who walks alongside), who will lead us and guide us into all truth. As the Psalmist exhorts repeatedly, we are to 'wait upon Him'. This waiting is not a mere passive waiting. It is an inward stance of humility to depend and trust in Christ who lives in us, to live His life, through His Spirit, for the glory of His Father.