Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 4:1

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:" — 2 Corinthians 4:1 (ASV)

Paul now resumes the theme of 3:6—divine appointment and provision to be a minister of a new covenant. He had no reason to lose heart (cf. Galatians 6:9), for God in his mercy had granted him a privilege exceeding the ministry of Moses (cf. 1 Timothy 1:12–16). He had been called not to communicate the law but to dispense grace. Paul regarded this divine commission to serve under the new covenant as more than compensating for all the trials he endured for being true to his calling (vv.7–12, 17; cf. Romans 8:18), including the malicious charges of his Corinthian opponents (v.2).