Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [2 Corinthians: Chapter 4].
blind their thoughts. That happens with wilful disbelievers. {The
light} (\ton ph•tismon\). The illumination, the enlightening.
Late word from \photiz•\, to give light, in Plutarch and LXX. In
N.T. only in 2Co 4:4,6. Accusative case of general reference
here with the articular infinitive (\eis to m• augasai\ that
should not dawn). That is, if \augasai\ is intransitive as is
likely, though it is transitive in the old poets (from \aug•\,
radiance. Cf. German _Auge_=eye). If it is transitive, the idea
would be "that they should not see clearly the illumination,
etc."
4:5 {For we preach not ourselves} (\ou gar heautous k•russomen\).
Surely as poor and disgusting a topic as a preacher can find.
{But Christ Jesus as Lord} (\alla Christon I•soun Kurion\).
\Kurion\ is predicate accusative in apposition. {As your servants
for Jesus' sake} (\doulous hum•n dia I•soun\). Your bond-slave
for the sake of Jesus. This is the sufficient reason for any
preacher's sacrifice, "for Jesus' sake."
4:6 {God who said} (\ho theos ho eip•n\). Paraphrase of Ge 1:3.
{Who shined} (\hos elampsen\). Like a lamp in the heart (cf. Mt
5:15). Miners carry a lamp on the forehead, Christians carry one
in their hearts lit by the Spirit of God. {To give the light}
(\pros ph•tismon\). For the illumination. {In the face of Jesus
Christ} (\en pros•p•i I•sou Christou\). The Christian who looks
on the face of Jesus Christ as Moses looked upon the glory of God
will be able to give the illumination of the knowledge of the
glory of God. See 2:10 for \pros•pon\.
4:7 {This treasure} (\ton th•sauron touton\). On \th•sauron\ see
Mt 6:19-21. It is the power of giving the illumination of the
knowledge of the glory of God (verse 6). "The power is
limitless, but it is stored in very unlikely receptacles"
(Plummer). This warning Paul gives in contrast (\de\) with the
exultation of verse 6 (Bernard). {In earthen vessels} (\en
ostrakinois skeuesin\). This adjective is common in the LXX with
\skeuos, aggos\ and \aggeion\. It occurs again in 2Ti 2:20 with
\skeu•\. It is found also in the papyri with \skeuos\ as here. It
is from \ostrakon\, baked clay (same root as \osteon\, bone), so
many fragments of which are found in Egypt with writing on them.
We are but earthen jars used of God for his purposes (Ro
9:20ff.) and so fragile. {The exceeding greatness} (\h•
huperbol•\). See on ¯1Co 12:31 for this word, "the preeminence
of the power." This is God's purpose (\hina--•i\). God, not man,
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