Tribulation and Triumph Series (1 of 3): The Treasure (2 Cor. 4:7)

Written by Roger D. Wilmore

“But we have this treasure . . .”

The question naturally arises, “What is the treasure?” The answer is found in the larger context of the passage, specifically in verse 6: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

A. T. Robertson gives significant insight into the meaning of the word treasure: “Miners carry a lamp on the forehead, Christians carry one in their hearts lit by the Spirit of God. . . . The Christian who looks into the face of Jesus Christ as Moses looked upon the glory of God will be able to give illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God. . . . [The treasure] is the power of giving the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God.”[1]

The nature of the treasure. The nature of the contents of the vessel is contrasted with the nature of the vessel itself. The vessel is a common clay pot; the content of the vessel is the treasure.

The treasure is the light of the gospel that shines in darkness just as it shines in our hearts (v.6). The treasure is the good news of the Christ. It is the Christian’s relationship with Christ which has been borne and nurtured by the Holy Spirit.

The ministry of John the Baptist gives us an example of what Paul described. The apostle John writes of John the Baptist, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world” (John 1:6-9).

The treasure contained in the vessel is the Light of life, the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” In Matthew 5:14, He said to His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” Remember, however, that a Christian is light only because Christ dwells within.

The treasure is divine in nature. Charles Hodge said this treasure is “the ministry of the gospel which Paul had received, and of which he had spoken in such exalted terms. . . . It freed men from the condemnation and power of sin; it transformed them in the image of Christ; it delivered them from the power of the god of this world. These effects which infinitely transcend all human power; and to render this fact conspicuous God committed this treasure to earthen vessels.”[2] This contrast illustrates the divine nature of contents of the vessel.

The source of the treasure. The treasure did not originate within the vessel; it was not produced by the vessel. It is a gift from God deposited into earthen vessels. John3:16 gives weight to this point: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

To understand its value, we must understand the price God paid in order to make this treasure, Christ, available to us. We must look at the cross. Paul wrote, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32).

Back to the Series Introduction

1. The Treasure (2 Cor. 4:7)
2. The Vessel (2 Cor. 4:7)
3. The Battle (2 Cor. 4:8-10)