2 Corinthians 4:7

4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. hath: Gr. is he who hath

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

KJV

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But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; in despair: or, altogether without help, or, means

What does 2 Corinthians 4:7 mean?

2 Corinthians 4:7 is a verse in the book of 2 Corinthians, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include δέ (de), ἔχω (echo), οὗτος (touton). It connects to 23 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Butδέde/deh/G1161a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

haveἔχωecho/ekh'-o/G2192scheo 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.

thisοὗτοςtouton/too'-ton/G5126accusative case singular masculine of 3778; this (person, as objective of verb or preposition):--him, the same, that, this.

treasureθησαυρόςthesauros/thay-sow-ros'/G2344from 5087; a deposit, i.e. wealth (literally or figuratively):--treasure.

inἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

earthenὀστράκινοςostrakinos/os-tra'-kin-os/G3749from ostrakon ("oyster") (a tile, i.e. terra cotta); earthen-ware, i.e. clayey; by implication, frail:--of earth, earthen.

vessels,σκεῦοςskeuos/skyoo'-os/G4632of uncertain affinity; a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband)):--goods, sail, stuff, vessel.

thatἵναhina/hin'-ah/G2443probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare 3363.

the

excellencyὑπερβολήhuperbole/hoop-er-bol-ay'/G5236from 5235; a throwing beyond others, i.e. (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with 1519 or 2596) pre- eminently:--abundance, (far more) exceeding, excellency, more excellent, beyond (out of) measure.

the

powerδύναμιςdunamis/doo'-nam-is/G1411from 1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

may

beG5600

God,θεόςtheos/theh'-os/G2316of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

notμήme/may/G3361a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.

ofἐκekG1537or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

us.ἐγώhemon/hay-mone'/G2257genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:7

HENRY_FULL · 2 Corinthians 4:7

directions about some charitable collection to be made in this church, for the afflicted and impoverished churches in Judea, ver. 1-4 . II. He talks of paying them a visit, ver. 5-9 . III. He recommends Timothy to them, and tells them Apollos intended to come to them, ver. 10-12 . IV. He presses them to watchfulness, constancy, charity, and to pay a due regard to all who helped him and his fellow-labourers in their work, ver. 13-19 . V. After salutations from others, and his own, he closes the epistle with a solemn admonition to them, and his good wishes for them, ver. 20, to the end . Contributions for the Poor. ( a. d. 57.) 1 No

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 26:12

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. received: Heb. found

Genesis 30:27

And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Genesis 30:30

For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also? increased: Heb. broken forth since: Heb. at my foot

Genesis 32:10

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. I am not: Heb. I am less than all

Genesis 33:11

Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. enough: Heb. all things

Deuteronomy 8:18

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 15:11

For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

2 Chronicles 31:10

And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

Haggai 2:16

Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.

Malachi 3:9

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Malachi 3:10

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. pour: Heb. empty out

Mark 12:41

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. money: a piece of brass money

Mark 14:8

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Luke 16:10

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luke 24:1

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

John 20:19 John 20:26 Acts 20:7 2 Corinthians 8:1 2 Corinthians 8:11 2 Corinthians 8:12 2 Corinthians 9:3 Revelation 1:10

Topics

Man Ministers Treasure

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 2 Corinthians 4:7.

2 Timothy 2:20

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

Matthew 1:18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. conceived: Gr. begotten

Matthew 1:22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Matthew 12:10

And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

Matthew 13:44

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Matthew 19:16

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Matthew 2:1

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Corinthians 4:7 say?

2 Corinthians 4:7 (King James Version) reads: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

Is 2 Corinthians 4:7 in the Old or New Testament?

2 Corinthians 4:7 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Corinthians.

Reflect

As you read 2 Corinthians 4:7, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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