2 Corinthians 4:1

2 Corinthians 4:1

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

a. NLT: Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

c. YLT: Because of this, having this ministration, according as we did receive kindness, we do not faint, [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Therefore, since we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God [granting us favor, benefits, opportunities, and especially salvation], we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Worrell Translation: Therefore, having this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not. [Copyright 1904 by A.S. Worrell. Copyright assigned to the Assemblies of God, Springfield, MO. This edition was published 1980 by the Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802. Printed in the U.S.A.]

f. Wuest Translation: Because of this, having this ministry [of the new testament] even as we were made the objects of mercy [in its bestowal], we do not lose courage. [The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Euest. © Copyright Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1961. All rights reserved.]

1. “Therefore…”

a. “Therefore [Strong: 5124. touto too'-to neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).]

1). “Therefore” is a conjunction and is used to connect sentences. It means “for that” or “for this reason”. Paul is connecting us being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ to what he is going to say here.

2. “…seeing we have this ministry…”

a. seeing [Strong: 1223. dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.

b. we have [Strong: 2192. echo ekh'-o, including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.]

c. this [Strong: 5026. taute tow'-tay, and tauten tow'-tane, and tautes tow'-tace dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of 3778; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).]

d. ministry [Strong: 1248. diakonia dee-ak-on-ee'-ah from 1249; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate):--(ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing).]

1). In Christian circles, a common question among Christians is “What is my ministry”? “What is my calling? Well according to the word of God our ministry or our calling is being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. This is the thing we should be most concerned with and focused on and I believe the rest will follow. Our ministry in life, our calling, God’s purpose for our life, is to focus all our energies and efforts to being changed into the image of Jesus Christ.

a). Romans 8:28, 29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn amongst many brethren.

2). This was Paul’s example, and we are to follow Paul’s example.

a). Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

b). Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

3. “…as we have received mercy…”

a. as [Strong: 2531. kathos kath-oce' from 2596 and 5613; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.]

b. we have received mercy [Strong: 1653. eleeo el-eh-eh'-o from 1656; to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace):--have compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on).]

1). When we get born again, become Christians, we receive the mercy of God. It is by the mercy of God we are saved. 

a). Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of  regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

2). We actually receive our ministry and our calling at the same moment we receive God’s mercy at the New Birth. When the greater context is seen, it is clear that our “ministry” is to be transformed into the image of Christ Jesus.

a). 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:1 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

4. “…we faint not.”

a. we faint [Strong: 1573. ekkakeo ek-kak-eh'-o from 1537 and 2556; to be (bad or) weak, i.e. (by implication) to fail (in heart):--faint, be weary.] [Thayer:  to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted.][Vine: to lack courage, lose heart, be fainthearted.] [Bullinger: to turn out a coward, to lose one’s courage. To be faint hearted inview of the trial or difficulty or from moral failure.]

b. not [Strong: 3756. ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

1). Because we are in Covenant with Almighty God we are commanded to be courageous.

a). Joshua 1:7-9 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

 

b). 1 Kings 2:2, 3 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;

2:3 And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

2). We faint not because the grace and mercy of God is provided to us through the New Covenant if we pursue it.

a). 2 Peter 1:2, 3 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: