Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. |
Subject: 2 corn. 4:4 the god of this world hath b |
Bible Note: Part 2 - "exceedingly unlikely" - but not definitive and here's why: L. "is quite a parallel to the following, Isa_6:9 : Go and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the Heart of this People Fat, and Make their Ears Heavy, and Shut their Eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, etc." l. Isaiah 6:9 is a prophecy of how the Jews predominantly would react to Jesus, but it also had a fulfillment in Isaiah's day. Let's go back to the initial use of this in Isaiah's time. We read in Isaiah 6:8-10 (New International Version) "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I [Isaiah] said, 'Here am I. Send me!' He [God] said, 'Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise, they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.' Then I said, 'For how long, O Lord?' And he answered: 'Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant'." Isaiah didn't make their hearts unresponsive miraclously. The Jews got so turned off by his preaching that they allowed their hearts to be hardened and then they received God's judgement. Although, they had the opportunity "to understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed" as the scripture states. M. "And see the parallel places, Mat_13:14, Mat_13:15; Mar_4:12; Joh_12:40; and particularly Rom_11:8-10 : God Hath Given Them the Spirit of Slumber, Eyes that they Should not See, and Ears that they Should not Hear; let their Eyes be Darkened, etc. Now all this is spoken of the same people, in the same circumstances of wilful rebellion and obstinate unbelief; and the great God of heaven and earth is he who judicially blinds their eyes; makes their hearts fat, i.e. stupid; gives them the spirit of slumber: and bows down their back, etc. On these very grounds it is exceedingly likely that the apostle means the true God by the words the god of this world. m. In each case, the context of these quotes form Isaiah reveals that the unbelieving Israelites (Jews) are the focal point of the fulfillment of this prophecy; keep in mind that individually, some Jews responded to the good news. Perhaps the most famous being the Apostle Paul himself and note what he says about God's mercy in 1 Timothy 1:13: (New International Version) "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted with ignorance and unbelief." Similarly, God is looking for opportunities to open every person's eyes and would never "blind the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel" (2 Cor 4:4) Lastly, note the context of 2 Cor 4:4. Early in Paul's letter in 2 Cor 2:11, he uses Satan's name and gives a warning 'not to be outwitted or unaware of his schemes'. Later, Paul would reference Satan again, but by other labels. Seven paragraphs later... "The god of this age" (2 Cor 4:4) is described as one who "has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel". And still later... "The serpent", is described by Paul in 2 Cor 11:3 as a 'deceiver', 'cunning', 'misleading people's minds' ("your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ"). Paul's very similar "descriptions" of "Satan", "the god of this age", and "the serpent" would lead one to the conclusion that they are all one and the same - known and exposed by different labels (but similar tactics) throughout Biblical history, down to Eve. I believe Mr. Clarke overlooks this and other supporting Bible verses in favour of what I perceive is a misapplication of Isaiah 6:9. No ill-will intended on Clarke's part, I trust. I hope this helps. |