But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (NIV)
2 Cor 4:7
Well we have now exhausted the investigation into this verse – 2 Cor 4:7. Do you believe that? Is it time now to move on to the next section? We are going to move on but I don’t believe we have found all that is possible to find. I believe it keeps unfolding and unfolding. I am sure we haven’t found all 70 facets of the Gem yet. But we will move on nonetheless. But where to? Do we indeed just carry on with the next section (namely 2 Cor 4:8-12) or is there something else that needs to happen?
I have told you already that that it is important for us to look at the little details and at the big picture. Keep in mind the minutiae and the major things, the micro and macro. Well you know what to do now then, don’t you? We have spent some time looking at the micro level on this verse now is the time to look at the bigger picture. Take a few steps back and look at the passage at macro level now. See how the pieces fit together. You will need to decide how far to go back and which parts to look at. You are looking for links. How does all of what Paul has said fit together? Can you see a theme? How does each part relate to the section before and the section which follows? Most often we approach the Bible in units. We think that each unit is separate and unconnected. The big sections (the chapters) do not naturally break where the chapter boundaries have been placed we have look at that a number of times. Also the smaller units (technically called pericopes and usually given a title) are not necessarily separate distinct units either. Step back and look at the flow of it all and see what you can make of it.
If nothing else, start back at the beginning of 2 Corinthians 1:1 and read through the first chapters again. At least to the point where we are now, but maybe further. I will let you decide. Take some initiative and see what you come up with. It will help you to read back over the ground we have covered with the insight you have gained at micro level. It will give you some new insights as to the flow and Paul’s purpose in writing 2 Corinthians.
More in the next Gem.
God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls & coal into diamonds using TIME & PRESSURE. He’s working on you too.
Rick Warren
Don’t put a period where God puts a comma; He’s not finished with you yet. You’re a work in progress.
Anon