Bible / 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4
Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (1749–1752), the traditional Catholic English Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate. If you read a modern Bible, this is the same Scripture in older English; some names are spelled differently (Cesarea for Caesarea, Apocalypse for Revelation). About this translation
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministration, according as we have obtained mercy, we faint not.
2 But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor adulterating the word of God: but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience, in the sight of God.
3 And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost,
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them. CCC · Fathers
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord: and ourselves your servants through Jesus.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus. CCC
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us. CCC
8 In all things we suffer tribulation: but are not distressed. We are straitened: but are not destitute.
9 We suffer persecution: but are not forsaken. We are cast down: but we perish not.
10 Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies. Fathers
11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake: that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh. Fathers
12 So then death worketh in us: but life in you.
13 But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe. For which cause we speak also:
14 Knowing that he who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and place us with you. CCC
15 For all things are for your sakes: that the grace, abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not: but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation worketh for us above measure, exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen, are eternal.
This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church
Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text.
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 1701 “Christ, . . . in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of his love, makes man fully manifest…”
“As to their affirming that Paul said plainly in the Second [Epistle] to the Corinthians, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not,”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter VII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… accordance with this word, therefore, does the apostle say, in the Second [Epistle] to the Corinthians: "In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine [unto them].”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXIX. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 1420 “Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and…”
Read the Fathers
“For if we who live are delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, it is that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Fathers
“For what sensible thing can they say, if they endeavour to interpret otherwise this which he writes: "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality;" and, "That the life of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh;”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 989 “We firmly believe, and hence we hope that, just as Christ is truly risen from the dead and lives for ever, so…”
A modern English Catholic translation will be added once its publisher grants permission.