The Light of the Gospel

1On account of this, having this ministry, just as we received mercy, we do not grow fainthearted. 2But we renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor distorting the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God. 3But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those perishing, 4in whom the god of this age blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so as not to shine forth the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.† 5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus† as Lord, and ourselves as your⁺ servants on account of Jesus. 6For God is the One having said, “Light will shine out of darkness,”† who shone in our hearts for the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.†

Treasure in Jars of Clay
(Romans 6:1–14)

7Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the supereminence of the power may be from God and not from us, 8being pressed in every way but not being crushed, being perplexed but not despairing, 9being persecuted but not being forsaken, being struck down but not being destroyed, 10always carrying around the death of Jesus† in the body, so that the life of Jesus also may be revealed in our body. 11For we the living are always being delivered to death on account of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12So then, death works in us, but life in you⁺.

13But having the same spirit of faith according to that having been written: “I believed, therefore I spoke,”† we also believe, and therefore we speak, 14knowing that the One having raised the Lord Jesus† also will raise us with† Jesus and will present us with you⁺. 15For all things are on account of you⁺, so that the grace having increased on account of more people may make abundant the thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not grow fainthearted; but if also our outer man decays, yet our inner one† is renewed day and day. 17For the momentary lightness of our affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, from supereminence to supereminence, 18in our not looking at the things being seen, but the things not being seen. For the things being seen are temporary, but the things not being seen are eternal.

Footnotes:

4 RP so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not dawn upon them
5 NA Jesus Christ
6 Genesis 1:3
6 SBL, NE, and WH in the face of Christ
10 BYZ and TR the death of the Lord Jesus
13 Psalm 116:10 (see also LXX)
14 SBL who raised Jesus
14 BYZ and TR through
16 BYZ and TR the inner