BEN F. VICK, JR.
The apostle Paul wrote, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Cor. 4:7.) The “treasure” is the gospel. There are riches beyond compare in this treasure. To name a few, we have forgiveness of sins, access to our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ, redemption, reconciliation, justification, sanctification, fellowship with those of like precious faith, and the hope of eternal life.
This treasure is powerful. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16.) The Greek word translated “power” is the word from which we get our English word “dynamite.” It has explosive power. It is powerful enough to save.
It is powerful enough to change one’s life. Look at Saul of Tarsus how he became the great apostle Paul. What brought about the 180-degree change? He was met by the Lord on the road to Damascus and told to go into the city. There he would be told what he must do. He believed in Jesus, repented of his sins indicated by his remorseful state, and was then baptized into Christ. The gospel changed his life. It can change anyone's life if he believes and obeys it.
To the world, the treasure is not worth much. To the Corinthians, Paul penned these words: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18.) The world looks at the gospel as foolishness. However, the gospel is a treasure for one who has his priorities right. Jesus referred to the real riches of life: “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:11.)
The true riches have been committed to our trust. Paul said, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels….” Paul said to the Thessalonian brethren, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. (1 Thess. 4:3-4.) Though some have said “his vessel” may refer to one’s wife, I think the expression has reference to one’s physical body. So, the earthen vessels in our text relate to men. God did not place the gospel in the hands of angels but men. Jesus said to his disciples, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt. 28:18-20.)
Paul was not interested in preaching himself. The treasure was in a fragile earthen jar, in a man. We are weak, but God's extraordinary power is seen in fragile men. The power is not in men, per se but in the message men (and women) carry to others. It is the gospel that saves. We are to be in the instruments by which it is transported. Though the context references the apostles having been the earthen vessels, they were to teach others this good news. Paul said to Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim. 2:2.) So, the excellency of the power, the extraordinary power is of God. He is the source of the gospel; it is not of us [apostles]. If the apostles are not the source of the gospel, the power of God to save, then certainly we are not the source of it either. We are merely the vessels by which it is carried. Thus, Paul so clearly said earlier: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Cor. 4:5.) We are merely servants for Jesus’ sake.
Paul charged Timothy, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so-called:” (1 Tim. 6:20.) To “keep” is to “guard.” “That which is committed” is “a deposit, a trust or thing consigned to one’s faithful keeping.” Though the gospel is to be carried to a lost and dying world, it must also be guarded or defended. Paul said he was “set for the defense of the gospel “(Phil. 1:17.)
This treasure is to be appreciated, shared, guarded and defended.