2 Corinthians describes the ministry of Paul in great detail and serves as a good encouragement and source of reflection for us in our own ministries.

While serving God, it is easy to lose heart and be discouraged. 2 Corinthians 4 is framed by the phrase “we do not lose heart” (2 Cor 4:1, 16) and indeed, this chapter has many encouragements for us as to why we need not be disheartened in our ministry.

Our Duty is to Be Faithful to God

Firstly, we find strength in remembering that our main duty is to faithful and accountable to God, regardless of the outcome or the response of others.

How others respond or react to our ministry is not the most crucial. Others may not always be receptive, especially if the evil one has blinded them (2 Cor 4:3-4). What is more important is ensuring that we are faithful to the word of God and are able to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Cor 4:2, 2 Tim 2:15).

Moreover, they are not rejecting us but God, since after all, the one we are proclaiming should be Jesus and not ourselves (2 Cor 4:5).

How do we be faithful to God? We have to ensure that we ourselves are not blinded and have the light of the Gospel in our hearts (2 Cor 4:6). Then, stemming from our faith in what we believe in, we ought to faithfully speak and proclaim His words (2 Cor 4:13).

Today, is our goal to please man or to please God (Gal 1:10)? Are we willing to remain faithful to God in our ministry, even when others around us oppose us?

Our Limitations Can Glorify God

Secondly, though we are limited and face many challenges, through our sufferings God is glorified in us.

2 Corinthians 4:7 tells us we are but earthen vessels. This means we are weak and fragile. We are easily broken, and one day we will die and return to dust.

Yet, somehow though we are hardpressed on every side, we are not crushed. Though we are struck down, we are not destroyed (2 Cor 4:8-9)!

Though we are mere earthen vessels, we have treasure within us, so that the power of God may be manifested through our very lives (2 Cor 4:7). We have the ministry of God in us, we have the Holy Spirit, we have the word of God. And this becomes our source of strength even though by nature we are weak and fragile.

Though our ministry can be full of pain and sorrow, as if we are being delivered to death, we take heart knowing that our suffering is for the Lord’s sake (2 Cor 4:11). Through our endurance, our experiences can bring glory to God and edify both ourselves and others.

Our Future is Glory Beyond All Comparison

Finally, though we suffer much in our ministry, we need not lose heart because our afflictions are working for us a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17).

And this is a daily process that we go can experience each day. Every day through our cultivation, our inward man is renewed.

Though we may not be able to so tangibly see this glory that awaits us, these unseen things are eternal (2 Cor 4:18).

And we are not alone in this future glory. All the brethren that we serve, and all those who serve & suffer alongside us, will all be there together with us (2 Cor 4:14-15).