But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Did you solve the puzzle of where the addition in the NLT version comes from? – “We now have this light shining in our hearts”
A careful look at the versions will show you where it comes from. It is the referrant to “this” . This treasure? This wealth? What treasure. The light within. 2 Cor 4:4, 4:6.
It is an unfolding theme. It is present in all the versions, only not quite as clear as the NLT makes it.
- (AMP) However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.
- (ASV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
- (BBE) But we have this wealth in vessels of earth, so that it may be seen that the power comes not from us but from God;
- (MSG) If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.
- (NLT) We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
The NLT has merely made it explicit. It was what Paul was talking about in the verse before. To really get the most of Scripture you must pay careful attention to the details while at the same time taking in the big picture. This is very true of this verse.
Now go and look at the words. Find out all you can about them.
The words that need attention:
Treasure
Jars of clay
All-surpassing
Power
Here are some tips as to what to do. Look at how the versions handle the words. Pay attention to what the differences and similarities are. Go to any one of those versions with a + in the name (GNT-BYZ+ ; GNT-WH+ ; KJV+ ; NASB+ ) and simply click on the green reference number and then survey the various dictionary listings. Note: you will have to have loaded them in E-Sword first. The dictionaries to look at are Strongs, Thayers, New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance (NASEC) and the ISBE. The first three you merely have to click on the green number. The last one, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, you will have to type the word into the slot at the top of the list.
The other sources you have of course are the commentaries. The commentators give significant words special treatment.
We will start at the word level in the next Gem.
The purest treasure mortal times afford, is spotless reputation; that away, men are but gilded loam or painted clay.
William Shakespeare
The reproduction of mankind is a great marvel and mystery. Had God consulted me in the matter, I should have advised him to continue the generation of the species by fashioning them out of clay.
Martin Luther