Albert Barnes Commentary 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;" — 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ASV)

But we have this treasure. This refers to the treasure of the gospel: the rich and invaluable truths that they were called to preach to others. The word "treasure" is applied to these truths on account of their inestimable worth. In the previous verses, Paul had spoken of the gospel—the knowledge of Jesus Christ—as full of glory and infinitely precious.

This rich blessing had been committed to Paul and his fellow laborers to dispense it to others and to diffuse it abroad. His purpose in this and the following verses is to show that it had been so entrusted to them as to secure all the glory of its propagation to God, and also to show its unspeakable value.

For this purpose, he not only affirms that it is a treasure but also says that it had been so entrusted to them as to show the power of God in its propagation. Furthermore, it had shown its value in sustaining them in their many trials, and they had shown their sense of its worth by being willing to endure all kinds of trials to make it known everywhere (2 Corinthians 4:8–11). The expression here is similar to that which the Savior uses when He calls the gospel the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46).

In earthen vessels. This phrase refers to the apostles and ministers of religion as weak and feeble. They have decaying and dying bodies, are fragile and liable to various accidents, and are altogether unworthy to hold so invaluable a treasure—as if valuable diamonds and gold were placed in earthen vessels of coarse composition, easily broken, and liable to decay. The word vessel (Greek: skeuos) properly means any utensil or instrument and is usually applied to household furniture or hollow vessels for containing things (Luke 8:16; John 19:29). It is applied to the human body, as made of clay and therefore frail and feeble, with reference to its containing anything, such as treasure .

The word translated "earthen" (Greek: ostrakinois, from ostrakon) means that which is made of shells, and then burnt clay, probably because vessels were at first made of burnt shells. It is well suited to represent the human body—frail, fragile, and easily reduced again to dust.

Paul’s purpose here is to show that the gospel was not originated by any excellency of his nature, nor propagated by any vigor or strength he possessed. Instead, it had been intentionally committed by God to weak, decaying, and crumbling instruments. This was so that it might be seen that the power of God sustained such instruments in their trials, and so that it might be manifest to all that the gospel was not originated and diffused by the power of those to whom it was entrusted.

The idea is that they were altogether insufficient in their own strength to accomplish what was accomplished by the gospel. Paul uses a similar metaphor (2 Timothy 2:20).

That the excellency of the power. This is an elegant expression denoting the exceedingly great power. The great power referred to here was manifested in connection with the labors of the apostles. This power included: healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons; bearing persecution and trial; carrying the gospel over sea and land amidst danger and despite all opposition from individuals or groups; and especially, converting the hearts of sinners, humbling the proud, and leading the guilty to the knowledge of God and the hope of heaven.

The idea is that all this was manifestly beyond human strength, and that God had intentionally chosen weak and feeble instruments in order that it might be seen everywhere that it was done not by human power, but by His own. The instrumentality employed was altogether disproportionate in its nature to the effect produced.

May be of God. This means it may evidently appear to be of God, so that it may be manifest to all that it is God’s power and not ours. It was one great purpose of God that this should be kept clearly in view. And it is still so: God takes care that this shall be apparent. For:

1. It is always true, whoever is employed, and however great the talents, learning, or zeal of those who preach, that it is by the power of God that people are converted. Such a work cannot be accomplished by human beings. It is not by might or by strength; and between the conversion of a proud, haughty, and abandoned sinner, and the power of the one who is made the instrument, there is such a manifest disproportion that it is evident it is the work of God. The conversion of the human heart is not to be accomplished by human beings.

2. Ministers are frail, imperfect, and sinful, as they were in the time of Paul. When the imperfections of ministers are considered—when their frequent errors and their not infrequent moral failings are contemplated, when it is remembered how far many of them live from what they ought to, and how few of them live in any considerable degree as becomes the followers of the Redeemer—it is wonderful that God blesses their labors as He does. The matter for amazement is not that no more are converted under their ministry, but that so many are converted, or that any are converted; and it is manifest that it is the mere power of God.

3. God often uses the most feeble, unlearned, and weak of His servants to accomplish the greatest effects. It is not splendid talents, profound learning, or distinguished eloquence that is always or even commonly most successful. Often the ministry of such individuals is entirely barren, while some humble and obscure person will have constant success, and revivals will attend him wherever he goes. It is the person of faith, prayer, and self-denial who is blessed. The purpose of God in the ministry, as in everything else, is to stain the pride of all human glory, and to show that He is all in all.