What is the treasure that we have in earthen vessels in 2 Corinthians 4:7?
The treasure is the light of God—the light of the knowledge of the glory of God—entrusted to mortal men, not angels. The earthen vessels are not clay pots but human bodies of flesh, formed from the elements of the earth, so believers can share the Word with others.
Les teaches that in 2 Corinthians 4:7 Paul calls this magnificent knowledge and understanding a treasure. It is the light of God—the light that lighteth the whole world and the light of the knowledge of the glory of God—available for those who know the Lord to draw upon. Although it is such a treasure, God did not see fit to put it in the hands of angels; He left it in the hands of mortal men. Paul was just as human as the rest of us, and it did not stop with Paul. Other men came along, and down through human history, even today, every one of us has the opportunity to share the Word with whoever might listen. The earthen vessel is not a clay pot but this body of flesh, made up of the elements of the earth.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
More Questions
What is the treasure Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 4:7?
The "treasure" Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 4:7 is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God — the light that lighteth the whole world, which is already there for us to draw upon and which we who know the Lord can have.
What does Paul mean by earthen vessels in 2 Corinthians 4:7?
When Paul says we have this treasure in earthen vessels, he was not talking about a clay pot; he was talking about this body of flesh, made up of the elements of the earth.