Charles Spurgeon 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)

That the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

If angels had been commissioned to preach the gospel, we might have attributed some of its power to their superior intelligence, and if only those had been called to preach the gospel who were men of great intellect and of profound learning, we might have considered that the talent of man was the essential qualification for a preacher.

But when God selects, as he often does, indeed, as he always does, earthen vessels, and some that seem more clearly earthen than others, then the excellency of the power is unquestionably seen to be of God, and not of us. In Paul's case, the earthiness of the vessel appeared in the trouble which he had to bear.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

The original might very fairly be rendered, "We have this treasure in oyster shells," for, just as pearls are found in the shells of oysters, so God gives to those who preach the Word the treasure of the gospel, yet they are themselves nothing but the oyster shells, nothing but the earthen vessel in which God pleases to place his priceless treasures. If you have done anything in the service of God, my brother, remember that you are nothing but the oyster shell; it is God's truth that is the pearl in you. So while you are thankful for the honor that he puts upon you, be sure to give him all the glory.

It is well to take the right view of our own imperfections and infirmities, as Paul did when he wrote, Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9). The infirmity of the creature leaves more room for the display of the greatness of the Creator; for, if God can work such wondrous results by using such poor tools as we are, how great must his power and skill be!