Monday 2 March 2026
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. (v. 7)
Background
Paul believes himself to be an apostle (messenger sent by God) to bring the good news of Jesus to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). It's a tough ministry, not least in persuading Jews to make space for Gentiles. He tells the young Corinthian church that it is a ministry in service of bringing into the open sight God’s light and glory as reflected in Christ.
Paul’s ministry is empowered by God’s mercy (kindness); therefore, he and his fellows do not give up. (v. 1) Confident in God, not themselves, they act with integrity and renounce manipulation. (v. 2) The gospel (good news) is a witness to God’s light seen in the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (v. 4), but the small gods of this world blind the minds of those who are determined not to see. (v. 3)
Paul’s resilience comes from the knowledge that they are not promoting themselves or their own clever ideas but proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord, and themselves as servants of Jesus. He gives a beautiful image of light shining out of the darkness, into human hearts, giving knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. To visualise this better you might recall two or three stories about how Jesus was with people.
The wonderful image of treasure in clay jars (v. 7) is an empowering image for times when Paul’s team must have felt the task was too great. And it's helpful for us too! Paul turns a sense of inadequacy on its head. It is because our ordinariness is so obvious to people, and yet still God’s glory shines through such mere mortals, that people realise that the extraordinary power must be coming from God. This is the foundation for us to keep going and trust God. It is a grace to know our limitations. And to trust (sometimes without seeing exactly how) that God’s power is working in a situation, even in and through our frailty.
As we offer our vulnerability to God, to be used for God’s purposes we identify with the bodily death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be visible in our embodied lives. That’s the uncomfortable way that the gospel works! (vs 10-12)
To Ponder:
- Have you experienced God ‘enjoying’ you using your gifts and abilities? Has this ever gone to your head and what brought you down to earth and back to God?
- Recall a time when something difficult happened to you, and even though you didn’t understand why it happened, you offered it to God, and realised God was using your woundedness in God’s way.
- Can you tell a story of experiencing the extraordinary power of God in an ordinary person and how it meant you could see the light of the gospel shining?
Prayer
Loving God, I actually prefer to trust my own powers, ideas and abilities. When these don’t work in a situation, please help me to offer my limitations to you. Help me not to give up, but to trust you. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Jenny Ellis
Jenny is a supernumerary Methodist minister. She facilitates a mindfulness community based at her local surgery and also online. She also leads quiet days and contemplative study days.