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2 Corinthians 4:7 — King James Version← Study notes

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


2 Corinthians 4:7Greek Interlinear

Greek · 2 Corinthians 4:720 words
GreekMeaning
ἜχομενEchomen
We haveverbG2192
δὲde
nowwordG1161
τὸνton
thearticleG3588
θησαυρὸνthēsauron
treasurenounG2344
τοῦτονtouton
thisdemonstrativeG3778
ἐνen
inprepositionG1722
ὀστρακίνοιςostrakinois
earthenadjectiveG3749
σκεύεσινskeuesin
vesselsnounG4632
ἵναhina
thatwordG2443
thearticleG3588
ὑπερβολὴhyperbolē
surpassingnessnounG5236
τῆςtēs
of thearticleG3588
δυνάμεωςdynameōs
powernounG1411
ē
may beverbG1510
τοῦtou
thearticleG3588
θεοῦtheou
from GodnounG2316
καὶkai
andwordG2532
μὴ
notadverbG3361
ἐξex
fromprepositionG1537
ἡμῶνhēmōn
uspronounG1473
Greek text from the SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT). Transliteration follows SBL Academic conventions.

Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 4:7

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.” For seeing he had spoken many and great things of the unspeakable glory, lest any should say, 'And how enjoying so great a glory remain we in a mortal body?' he says, that this very thing is indeed the chiefest marvel and a very great example of the power of God, that an earthen vessel has been enabled to bear so great a brightness and to keep so…

Chrysostom · 4th century · Homily 8 on Second Corinthians
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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Aisha MbekiNote3mo ago
The Treasure in Earthen Vessels
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Paul describes himself as a fragile container for something infinitely precious. The contai...
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Thomas MuellerNote3mo ago
Treasure in Jars of Clay
Paul describes: 'But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.' Weakness as proof of God's power. I'm an elderly pastor watching my bod...
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