2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (WEL) If our Good News is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost. 4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, lest the light of the glorious Good News about Christ—who is the image of God—should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord, and we are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, [Genesis 1:3] has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
V3 If our Good News is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost.
No human can save themselves or initiate salvation. The Holy Spirit initiates salvation (John 16:8, John 6:44 (which needs to be interpreted in context instead of theology), Romans 10:17, and Acts 2:37-38). No one can seek God, understand the Good News (Gospel of Jesus Christ) unless God initiates it.
V4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, lest the light of the glorious Good News about Christ—who is the image of God—should shine on them.
The devil is the god of this world. Some worship him by some idolatrous name or by living his standards, etc. The devil is not “God;” he claims godship. He usurped God’s authority. Nevertheless, the God of the Bible, the only God, is still Lord of lords and King of kings. Not only are we born sinners (Psalm 51:5 and Psalm 58:3), but we are unable to seek or understand the Gospel. The devil blinds by diversions, lies, stirring up evil lusts, appealing to our pride, etc.
The devil wants to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He wants people in hell and die without God’s salvation.
Warren W. Wiersbe: “Those who are lost (“perishing”) cannot understand the message of the Gospel. Satan does not want the glorious light of salvation to shine into their hearts. As the god of this age and the prince of this world (John 12:31), Satan keeps lost sinners in the dark. The sad thing is that Satan uses religious teachers (like the Judaizers) to deceive people. Many of the people who today belong to cults were originally members of Christian churches.”
V5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord, and we are your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Paul does not want to glorify himself; he wants to do everything to glorify God. This is to be our attitude also. We fail, but that is our goal.
Christians are not to lord it over others.
CoPilot defines it as:
“To “lord it over others” means:
• To exercise authority in a domineering, heavy‑handed, or self‑exalting way
• To assert superiority in a way that diminishes, controls, or belittles others
• To use a position of power not for service, but for self‑importance
It’s not merely leadership; it’s leadership twisted into domination.”
V6 For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, [Genesis 1:3] has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
God initiates salvation, offers salvation, provides salvation, and shows us how to have salvation. He demands we believe. Believe is not a work (Romans 4:1-5), and it is our faith that He demands. Jesus commands us to believe (Mark 1:15, Romans 1:16 (“everyone who believes,” it is not “everyone who has been given faith”), to obey the Gospel (Romans 10:13, ),
We learn:
- God initiates salvation.
- God wants people to believe and trust His Son, Jesus Christ, and come out of darkness.
Questions:
- Have you believed and trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation?
- Are you ready to tell others when the opportunity arises?