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2 Corinthians 4:7

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not from us.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassingness of the power may be of God, and not from us:
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Howbeit we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that, the surpassing greatness of the power, may be of God, and not from ourselves:—
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us;
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— But we haue this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellencie of that power might be of God, and not of vs.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— But we haue this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellencie of the power may be of God, and not of vs.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of power may be from God, and not from us.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— BUT we have this treasure in a vase of earth, that the greatness of the power might be from Aloha, and not from us.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— But we have this treasure in an earthen vessel, that the excellency of the power might be from God, and not from us.

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
But 1161
{1161} Prime
δέ
de
{deh}
A primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.
we have 2192
{2192} Prime
ἔχω
echo
{ekh'-o}
A primary verb (including an alternate form σχέω [[scheo]], {skheh'-o}; used in certain tenses only); to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession, ability, contiguity, relation or condition).
z5719
<5719> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 3019
this 5126
{5126} Prime
τοῦτον
touton
{too'-ton}
Accusative, singular, masculine of G3778; this (person, as object of verb or preposition).
treasure 2344
{2344} Prime
θησαυρός
thesauros
{thay-sow-ros'}
From G5087; a deposit, that is, wealth (literally or figuratively).
in 1722
{1722} Prime
ἐν
en
{en}
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); 'in', at, (up-) on, by, etc.
earthen 3749
{3749} Prime
ὀστράκινος
ostrakinos
{os-tra'-kin-os}
From ὄστρακον [[ostrakon]] ('oyster'), (a tile, that is, terra cotta); earthen ware, that is, clayey; by implication frail.
vessels, 4632
{4632} Prime
σκεῦος
skeuos
{skyoo'-os}
Of uncertain affinity; a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively [specifically a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband]).
that 2443
{2443} Prime
ἵνα
hina
{hin'-ah}
Probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result).
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
excellency 5236
{5236} Prime
ὑπερβολή
huperbole
{hoop-er-bol-ay'}
From G5235; a throwing beyond others, that is, (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with G1519 or G2596) pre-eminently.
of the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
power 1411
{1411} Prime
δύναμις
dunamis
{doo'-nam-is}
From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself).
may be 5600
{5600} Prime

o
{o}
Including the oblique forms, as well as ἦς [[es]], {ace}; [[e]], {ay}, etc.; the subjunctive of G1510; (may, might, can, could, would, must, etc.; also with G1487 and its compounds, as well as with other particles) be.
z5753
<5753> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - No Voice Stated (See G5799)
Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792)
Count - 68
of God, 2316
{2316} Prime
θεός
theos
{theh'-os}
Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very.
and 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
not 3361
{3361} Prime
μή
me
{may}
A primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverbially) not, (conjugationally) lest; also (as interrogitive implying a negative answer [whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one]); whether.
of 1537
{1537} Prime
ἐκ
ek
{ek}
A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote).
us. 2257
{2257} Prime
ἡμῶν
hemon
{hay-mone'}
Genitive plural of G1473; of (or from) us.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:7

_ _ “Lest any should say, How then is it that we continue to enjoy such unspeakable glory in a mortal body? Paul replies, this very fact is one of the most marvelous proofs of God’s power, that an earthen vessel could bear such splendor and keep such a treasure” [Chrysostom, Homilies, 8.496, A]. The treasure or “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.” The fragile “earthen vessel” is the body, the “outward man” (2 Corinthians 4:16; compare 2 Corinthians 4:10), liable to afflictions and death. So the light in Gideon’s pitchers, the type (Judges 7:16-20, Judges 7:22). The ancients often kept their treasures in jars or vessels of earthenware. “There are earthen vessels which yet may be clean; whereas a golden vessel may be filthy” [Bengel].

_ _ that the excellency of the power, etc. — that the power of the ministry (the Holy Spirit), in respect to its surpassing “excellency,” exhibited in winning souls (1 Corinthians 2:4) and in sustaining us ministers, might be ascribed solely to God, we being weak as earthen vessels. God often allows the vessel to be chipped and broken, that the excellency of the treasure contained, and of the power which that treasure has, may be all His (2 Corinthians 4:10, 2 Corinthians 4:11; John 3:30).

_ _ may be of God ... not of us — rather, as Greek, “may be God’s (may be seen and be thankfully [2 Corinthians 4:15] acknowledged to belong to God), and not (to come) from us.” The power not merely comes from God, but belongs to Him continually, and is to be ascribed to him.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:1-7.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we — Not only the apostles, but all true believers. Have this treasure — Of divine light, love, glory. In earthen vessels — In frail, feeble, perishing bodies. He proceeds to show, that afflictions, yea, death itself, are so far from hindering the ministration of the Spirit, that they even further it, sharpen the ministers, and increase the fruit. That the excellence of the power, which works these in us, may undeniably appear to be of God.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

2 Corinthians 4:7

(4) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, (5) that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

(4) He takes away a stumbling block, which darkened among some, the bright shining of the ministry of the Gospel, that is, because the apostles were the most miserable of all men. Paul answers that he and his associates are as it were, earthen vessels, but yet there is in them a most precious treasure. (5) He brings marvellous reasons why the Lord does so afflict his principal servants, to the end, he says, that all men may perceive that they do not stand by any man's power, but by the singular power of God, in that they die a thousand times, but never perish.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
this:

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Matthew 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe [which is] instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure [things] new and old.
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

in:

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 Corinthians 10:10 For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.
Judges 7:13-14 And when Gideon was come, behold, [there was] a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. ... And his fellow answered and said, This [is] nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: [for] into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
Judges 7:16-20 And he divided the three hundred men [into] three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. ... And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow [withal]: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
Lamentations 4:2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!
1 Corinthians 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Corinthians 4:9-13 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. ... Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Galatians 4:13-14 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. ... And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

that:

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God; ... Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. ... And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
1 Corinthians 2:3-5 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. ... That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Ephesians 1:19-20 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ... Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: ... Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Jg 7:13, 16. Lm 4:2. Mt 13:44, 52. 1Co 1:28; 2:3; 4:9. 2Co 3:5; 4:1; 5:1; 6:10; 10:10; 12:7; 13:4. Ga 4:13. Ep 1:19; 2:5, 8; 3:8. Col 1:27; 2:3, 12. 1Th 1:5. 2Ti 2:20.

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