Treasure Filled Pottery – 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Jars of Clay is a Christian band formed in the late 1990’s, deriving their name from 2 Corinthians 4:7. They had a hidden track in their self-titled 1995 album called “Four Seven” (listen here), the lyrics saying, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels to show that this power is from God, and not from us.”

The Corinthians are in danger of forgetting this truth. They see themselves as gold urns. Their inflated egos are at odds with the gospel.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:7-18 ESV)

The knowledge of Jesus and the New Covenant ministry that comes with it is our treasure from God but He has deposited it in us mere clay jars to show that it is His treasure, His power at work.  Paul is a servant to the Corinthians, suffering in many ways, reliving the dying of Jesus in his own body so that Jesus’ life might be manifested in his ministry for the sake of the Corinthians, so they might receive life. 

David wrote of this kind of suffering in Psalm 116:10 and he trusted in God, and so spoke, and so do Paul and his fellow workers, and so must we.  Speaking comes from trusting. Our ultimate hope is the resurrection and Christ bringing us all into his presence in the last day.  As we minister, more and more people are saved and give glory to God and receive that same destiny. And thankfulness, not boasting, increases. It is God’s work.

So despite the Corinthians’ rejection of Paul and their danger of defecting from the gospel, Paul is encouraged.  He knows that the dying of his outer body is compensated for by the renewal of his inner self.  All his suffering weighs little compared to the glory that is being prepared for him.  The things that are seen, what the Corinthians put so much value in, are not eternal.  It is the unseen things, faith, hope and love, that are eternal.  It is the inner renewal that is eternal.  It is the things of the Spirit of God and the New Covenant and the gospel that will last forever.

Discussion Questions for Small Groups

1. If you could play a sport professionally, which one would it be and why?
2. What makes a successful professional sports player?
3. How does seeing yourself as a clay jar with incredible treasure inside affect the way you approach life?
4. How does Paul’s image of himself as wasting away outwardly but being renewed inwardly impact you?
5. How transitory or temporary do you treat the things that can be seen?
6. What would have to change for you to live more for the things that are not seen?