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NASB | 2 Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 4:4 among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. |
Subject: 2 Cor 4:4 |
Bible Note: The context of 2 Cor 4:4 also helps one to draw the conclusion that Satan is "the god of this world". How so? Before chapters and verses were added to the Bible as a study aid, the book of Corinthians was one long letter to the 'congregation of God in Corinth'. Keep that in mind as you read this. Early in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians he mentions "Satan" by name in 2 Cor 2:11 (New International Version), warning: "in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." Consequently, with Satan's name already mentioned early in the letter - 7 paragraphs later - 2 Cor 4:4 says "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." The qualifying remarks about "the god of this world" in 2 Cor 4:4 namely, "has blinded the minds of unbelievers" relates to Satan who was introduced 7 paragraphs earlier in 2 Cor 2:11 "we are not unaware of his schemes". Supporting this thought that the apostle Paul did not have to keep re-introducing Satan's "name" everytime he referred to him by a different label, is this verse (later in the letter) in 2 Cor 11:3 "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ". So, 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'. "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". "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 also find it interesting that Paul didn't have to keep re-introducing Satan's name when he referred to him later as the "god of this age" and "the serpent" - leading one to the conclusion that there was no confusion about this in Paul's day. |