2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Paul and the False Teachers

In 2 Corinthians 3:6, Paul had said he was a minister of the new covenant. Knowing that he had tried to destroy Christianity, Paul was ever thankful for God's mercy which allowed him to preach the gospel (1 Timothy 1:12-13). That mercy and great message gave him courage to endure persecution (2 Corinthians 4:1).

Apparently, the false teachers Paul opposed had done things in secret which they would have been ashamed to have exposed. It also appears that they would use any means at their disposal to gain followers. They may even have misused God's word in order to escape exposure and punishment. Paul didn't use the false teachers' approach. Instead, he openly proclaimed the truth (Acts 20:26-27) with the realization that he would be tested by men in God's sight (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Even though Paul proclaimed the truth openly, there were those who did not see that truth. As verse 14 of chapter 3 would show, there were some who could not see the truth because they did not want to. These were "those who are perishing" by choice. Sinful man made Satan his god, thus giving him control over the world. To retain his power, Satan has to blind his subjects so they cannot see the light of the truth (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Luke 8:12).

It may be that the false teachers proclaimed themselves, but Paul saw himself as a servant for Jesus' sake. He only reflected the glory of the Savior. To proclaim Jesus as Lord is to tell others that He is Master, Ruler, and Savior. Those who knew the word of God should have remembered that He gave light to a newly created world (Genesis 1:3). In much the same way, the Father sent Jesus to be the Light of the world (Isaiah 60:1-2; John 1:1-5). Jesus reflected God's light and gave man knowledge of God that he might give to others (2 Corinthians 4:5-6).