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2 Corinthians 4:1–4

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THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL

4Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,an we do not give up.ao 2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not actingap deceitfully or distorting the word of God,aq but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.ar 3But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case, the god of this ageas has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,Ga who is the image of God.b

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Footnotes

  1. GOr the gospel of the glorious Christ, or the glorious gospel of Christ

Cross references

  1. anMt 5:7; Mk 5:19; Lk 1:50
  2. ao2Th 3:13
  3. ap2Jn 6
  4. aq2Co 2:17; 2Tm 2:15; Heb 4:12
  5. ar2Co 5:11–12; 6:7; 7:14
  6. asLk 16:8
  7. aMk 10:37
  8. bGn 1:27

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

NLTNew Living Translation

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.

If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Because of this, since we have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced shameful hidden things, not behaving with craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but with the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience before God. But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

KJV 1900King James Version

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.