Study Resources
A pdf interlinear study packet is available here:
2 Cor 4 Clausal Interlinear mss lemma trans root code strongs Morph Codes
As discussed in the previous chapter’s study (2 Cor. Ch 3), the above pdf includes the NKJV text, and (below each word) the Gr mss, Gr lemma, transliterated lemma, Gr root, Logos Morphology Code, and Strong’s Number. The English text at the top of each stack of words is the NKJV.
In the above pdf, I’ve highlighted various key words and phrases by boxes and text. At the back of the packet is the usual summary of the morphology codes with an added section regarding the dative case.
A text comparison of this chapter between the NIV and ESV is available here:
2 Cor 4, 2 Peter 3, Text Comparisons
The above includes a passage from 2 Peter 3 which is also about the contrast between the truth of God and the ever prevalent deceptions.
Key Words / Ideas
There are many wonderful revelations in this chapter. The entire chapter is itself about revelation (disclosure, bringing to light) in contrast to things hidden in darkness (deceitful, shameful things).
Pdfs on the key words relating to false doctrine / teaching in this chapter are given below:
In contrast to the above, the many references to proper revelation / disclosure (bringing to light) are highlighted in the pdf at the top of this page by the cyan box outlining.
The Gospel
1 and 2 Corinthians have the most-consise ‘definitions’ of The Gospel in the NT. I’ve added the corresponding text from 1 Cor 15:3-4, designating it as Part 1 of the Gospel, directly above the verses here in 2 Cor 4, that I’ve designated as Part 2. (Clearly such Part 1 and 2 designations are purely mine, but I believe they show two distinct aspects of the great Gospel message).
Life
There are several Gr words that are, or can be, translated by the English word “life.” The most important of these words are zoe and its verb form záō. Such life is something more fundamental than biological life, such as what we share with all living entities, and even soul-life which all humans have in common. (Even dogs, and other mammals appear to have a form of soul-life as well). But zoe is something more than this.
Below is some text of zoe. (Recall, also, the Garden’s Tree of Life [zoe], which recurs in Revelation 22:2, 14).
2222. ζωή zōḗ;
(I) Generally, physical life and existence as opposed to death and nonexistence.
(A) Particularly and generally of human life (Luke 16:25; Acts 17:25; 1 Cor. 3:22; 15:19; Heb. 7:3; James 4:14; Rev. 11:11). In Rev. 16:3 (TR), psuchḗ zṓsa (psuchḗ [5590], soul, life; zṓsa [2198], living), living soul; in other MSS psuchḗ zōḗs, soul of life, means every living soul (Sept.: Gen. 2:7; 25:7). Of life or existence after rising from the dead, only of Christ (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 4:10–12). Metaphorically of the Jewish people (Rom. 11:15).
(B) In the sense of existence, life, in an absolute sense and without end (Heb. 7:16).
…
(II) Of life, i.e., manner of life, conduct, in a moral respect (Rom. 6:4; Eph. 4:18, “the life of God” meaning that which God requires, a godly life; 2 Pet. 1:3).
(III) Life, i.e., blessed life, life that satisfies, being indwelt by God but not necessarily favored by circumstances.
(A) Generally (Luke 12:15; John 6:51; 2 Cor. 2:16, “savor of life,” i.e., fragrance); “the ways of life” (Acts 2:28 [cf. Ps. 16:11]); to love or appreciate the life that God gives (1 Pet. 3:10 from Ps. 34:12).
(B) In the Christian sense of eternal life, i.e., that life of bliss and glory in the kingdom of God which awaits the true disciples of Christ after the resurrection (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15, 16; 5:24), or the life that is to come (hē méllousa [3195] in 1 Tim. 4:8). In 1 Tim. 6:19, hē óntōs zōḗ (UBS) (hē [3588], the; óntōs [3689], indeed, of a truth), the real life, while in TR zōḗ aiṓnios (aiṓnios [166], eternal), eternal life. In an absolute sense, hē zōḗ, the life (Matt. 7:14; 18:8, 9; Acts 5:20), meaning the doctrine of eternal life. In Rom. 5:17, “they shall reign in life” (a.t. [cf. Rom. 5:18; 7:10; 8:2, 6, 10; Phil. 2:16; 2 Tim. 1:1; 1 John 3:14; 5:12, 13, 16. For the Book of Life, see bíblos (976), book. The crown of life refers to the Christian’s final reward in heaven (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10). The grace of life means the gift of eternal life (1 Pet. 3:7). Metonymically, for the author and giver of eternal life (John 11:25; 14:6; Col. 3:4; 1 John 1:2; 5:20). For the cause, source, or means of eternal life (John 5:39; 12:50; 17:3).
Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
And, below, of the verb form of zoe, záō:
2198. ζάω záō, …To live, intrans. …
(I) To live, have life, spoken of physical life and existence as opposed to death or nonexistence, and implying always some duration.
(A) Generally of human life (Acts 17:28; 22:22; Rom. 7:1–3; 1 Cor. 15:45; Heb. 9:17); “while still alive” (a.t. [Matt. 27:63]); “the living [zṓntes] and the dead [nekroí {3498}]” (a.t. [Acts 10:42; Rom. 14:9; 1 Pet. 4:5]). The pres. inf. is used as a subst. with the art. tó zḗn, life (2 Cor. 1:8; Phil. 1:21, 22; Sept.: Gen. 2:7, 9; 42:2; 43:7; Ex. 19:13). Of persons raised from the dead (Matt. 9:18; Mark 16:11; Luke 24:23; John 5:25; Acts 1:3; 9:41; Rev. 20:4; Sept.: 2 Kgs. 13:21); of those restored from sickness, not to die, by implication to be well (John 4:50, “your son lives” [a.t.], or is well; 4:51, 53; Sept.: 2 Kgs. 8:8, 9).
(B) In the sense of to exist, in an absolute sense and without end, now and hereafter, to live forever, of human beings (Matt. 22:32, “God is not a God of the dead, but of the living ones” [a.t.]; Mark 12:27; Luke 20:38; John 11:25; 1 Thess. 5:10; 1 Pet. 4:6); by implication (Heb. 7:8); of Jesus (John 6:57; 14:19; Rom. 6:10; 2 Cor. 13:4; Heb. 7:25; Rev. 1:18; 2:8); of God (John 6:57, “the living Father,” meaning the one who has life in Himself; Rom. 14:11, “As I live”; Sept.: Num. 14:21, 28). The part. zṓn, ever living, eternal, the God the living One, means the Eternal One (Matt. 16:16; Rom. 9:26; 1 Tim. 6:17; Heb. 3:12; 12:22; Rev. 4:9, 10; 10:6). As opposed to idols which are dead, nonexistent (Acts 14:15; 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Thess. 1:9; Sept.: Deut. 5:26; 2 Kgs. 19:16).
(C) Metaphorically, of things, only in the part. zṓn, living, lively, active, also enduring, opposed to what is dead, inactive, and also transient (1 Pet. 1:3, “living, enduring hope” [a.t.]). In Rom. 12:1, “living and constant sacrifice” (a.t.), as opposed to the intermittent sacrifices of slaughtered victims; Heb. 4:12, “the word of God,” the divine threatenings are living, sure, never in vain; 1 Pet. 1:23, “the living, efficient, enduring word” (a.t.); 1 Pet. 2:4, “a living stone”, i.e., Christ as the cornerstone of the church, not inactive and dead, but living and efficient; in 1 Pet. 2:5, of Christians. “Living water” means the water of running streams and fountains, as opposed to that of stagnant cisterns, pools or marshes (John 4:10, 11; 7:38; Rev. 7:17; Sept.: Gen. 26:19; Lev. 14:5, 50; Zech. 14:8). By implication as a part. zṓn, life giving (John 6:51, “the life–giving bread” [a.t.] which imparts eternal life [cf. the following clauses; Acts 7:38, “living words”{a.t.}; Heb. 10:20, “living way”; see Sept.: Ps. 119:25, 37, 40, 50; Ezek. 13:22]).
(II) To live, i.e., to sustain life, to live on or by anything (Matt. 4:4; 1 Cor. 9:14).
(III) To live in any way, to pass one’s life in any manner (Luke 2:36; 15:13; Acts 26:5; Rom. 7:9; Gal. 2:14; 2 Tim. 3:12; Titus 2:12). To live unto God (tṓ Theṓ [2316]) (Luke 20:38; Rom. 6:10, 11; Gal. 2:19) means to be devoted to Him, to live conformably to the will, purpose, precepts, and example of God; tṓ Kuríō (2962), unto the Lord or Christ (Rom. 14:8; 2 Cor. 5:15); tṓ Pneúmati (4151), unto the Spirit (Gal. 5:25); heautṓ (1438), oneself, with the neg., not unto oneself (Rom. 14:7; 2 Cor. 5:15); tḗ dikaiosúnē (1343), unto righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24); “to sin” means under the power of sin (Rom. 6:2); “by faith” (a.t.) means full of faith, unto the power of faith (Gal. 2:20); “in the world” means in conformity to the world (Col. 2:20); en autoís (en [1722], in; autoís [846], them), “in themselves” (a.t. [Col. 3:7]), being conformable to them; to live according to the flesh or “after the flesh” (Rom. 8:12, 13).
(IV) By implication, to live and prosper, be blessed (used generally in Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3:12 [cf. Lev. 18:5]). In 1 Thess. 3:8, “we live,” feel satisfied (Sept.: Deut. 8:1; 1 Sam. 10:24; Ps. 22:26). In the sense of to have eternal life, to be admitted to the bliss and privileges of the Redeemer’s kingdom (Luke 10:28; John 6:51, 58; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 12:9; 1 John 4:9)
Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.