A treasure in earthen vessels
"But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:7–10) In these verses, Saint Paul offers a compelling and paradoxical reflection on the nature of Christian ministry and discipleship. The "treasure" he refers to is the Gospel itself—the luminous truth of God's revelation in Christ, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God shining through the face of Jesus (cf. 2 Cor 4:6). This divine treasure, however, is not housed in majestic temples or invulnerable bodies but in "earthen vessels"—fragile, breakable containers. The apostle underscores the incongruity between the priceless message and the frail human messenge...