The Light of the Gospel

1Therefore, having this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not; 2but we renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, not handling the word of God deceitfully; but, by the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And, even if our Gospel has been veiled, it has been veiled in those who perish; 4in whom the god of this world blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God, should not shine upon them. 5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord; and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake; 6because it is the God Who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," Who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay
(Romans 6:1–14)

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness may be of God, and not from ourselves; 8being pressed on every side, yet not cooped up; perplexed, yet not despairing; 9pursued, yet not abandoned; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are always delivered up to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So that death is working in us, but life in you.

13But, having the same spirit of faith, according to what has been written, "I believed, therefore did I speak"; we believe, therefore also we speak; 14knowing that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise up us also with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, abounding through the many, may make the thanksgiving abound, to the glory of God.

16Wherefore, we faint not; but even if our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day. 17For our momentary light tribulation is working out for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 18while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal.