⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; ⁸we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

This is truly an amazing thing: we have the “Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ!” And this to us, mere creatures, of whom to the first of us it was said, “By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19). Paul could rightly say, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.” That is what we are, mere receptacles, made from mud at that. In another place, the apostle put it this way: God has “[made] known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory” (Rom. 9:23). We are unworthy to be pots of God’s glory, but because He is merciful we are of use to Him.

Not only are we of use, but God showcases “the surpassing greatness of [His] power” in us and through us. Think of a jeweler who displays a diamond against a black background in order to show its brilliance in full glory. It is by our very unworthiness that God uses us to showcase how brilliantly great He is!

Paul has no illusions of seeing himself as a fine, golden chalice that showcases its own glory. No one ever extols the black background against which a diamond is displayed. So Paul does not exult in any greatness of his own; rather, he showcases how difficult life has been for him, how “black” his background. One would think, speaking from a Corinthian’s point of view, that God’s glory would be best seen in an exalted messenger, a royal monarch regaled in majestic splendor. But no, Paul the messenger, the earthly vessel of mercy, provides a supreme contrast to God’s glory. Look at how he describes his life: afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, carrying about death.

He is not a washout, though, for he is not crushed, not despairing, not forsaken, not destroyed. As a vessel of God’s glory, he carries about the life of Jesus as well as the dying of Jesus. Therein is God’s glory most greatly seen. The end result is that the power of the gospel does not reside in Paul’s oratory or his persuasive personality or logical reasoning. He is absolutely clear about that. For his experience is the kind of thing arrogant people would despise. The power of the message he preaches is “of God and not from ourselves.” Joining in with Paul, we too, should consider it the highest honor to showcase Christ.

Lord, may You be magnified in me, whether by life or by death.