The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, [since God] in His mercy has given us this ministry,[fn] we do not lose heart. 2 Instead, we have renounced secret [and] shameful [ways]. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is [the] image of God, might not dawn upon them.[fn] 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus[fn] [as] Lord, and ourselves [as] your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “{Let} light shine out of darkness,”[fn] made His light shine in our hearts to give us [the] light of the knowledge of the glory of God in [the] face of Jesus Christ.[fn]