The God of Light (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Before going into 2 Corinthians 4:7, we need to back up a little to 2 Corinthians 4:6. Paul writes: 

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ".

In this verse, the apostle is echoing the creation story from Genesis 1:3: “Let there be light”. God spoke into the darkness and created light.

But here, Paul's saying that the same God who lit up the universe is now lighting up human hearts. The light represents the radiant knowledge of God's glory, made visible in Jesus Christ.

When you look at the broader message of 2 Corinthians, you see Paul constantly reminding the church in Corinth about resilience, hope, and the transformative power of God's Spirit. 

He talks about suffering, about being pressed but not crushed, and about carrying death in our bodies so that the life of Jesus can be revealed. 

It's all about contrast: weakness and power, death and life, darkness and light. And right here, in chapter 4, Paul roots that contrast in God's creative, life-giving light.

The "face of Christ" phrase in 2 Corinthians 4:6 is crucial. It shows that God's glory isn't some distant, impersonal force. It's personal. It's revealed intimately through Jesus. When we see Jesus in the Gospels, in prayer, in our lives, we see the face of God’s love and power shining toward us.

This idea of shining light isn't unique to 2 Corinthians: 

• Jesus Himself said, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 
• In John 8:12, Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life". 
• In Ephesians 5:8, Paul again reminds believers, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light".

All of these verses paint a consistent picture: God’s light changes us from the inside out. It’s not something we manufacture on our own. It’s a divine gift that transforms us and then spills out into the world.

So when Paul talks about the God of light making His light shine in our hearts, he's setting the stage for everything that follows. I

It's a reminder that the light we carry (the treasure in jars of clay) comes straight from the Creator Himself. We step in the light of His glory and grace, often unaware it’s we who are the vessels of all this divine love.

What Is The Glory of God?

When we talk about the "glory of God," it's easy to imagine something huge and overwhelming, like brilliant light, roaring thunder, or a vision so powerful it leaves you breathless. And honestly, those images aren’t wrong. 

God's glory is the visible manifestation of His holiness, majesty, and beauty (Exodus 33:18-23; John 1:14), breaking into our world. 

But when we take a look at 2 Corinthians 4, we see something even more personal: the glory of God shining through the face of Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us that the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God" is found "in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). This is a huge statement. It means that if you want to understand God's glory, you don't have to look to the sky. Christ the Light reveals the heart of God in a way creation alone never could.

Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we see God's light shining in darkness. When Jesus walked the earth, He was a living, breathing beam of divine glory, a shining light that darkness could not overcome (John 1:5).

This is why Scripture calls Christ the Light of the world (John 8:12). It’s why we’re encouraged to shine with the light of Jesus, by reflecting Him. 

Jesus’ glowing light has the power to transform you. His joy becomes your joy. His peace becomes your peace. His glory, in some mysterious way, starts shining through you.

The Bible paints this truth over and over. 

• In John 17:22, Jesus prays, "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one". 
• In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul says believers are "being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory". It’s an invitation to let God's light shine through you.

So when you hear phrases like "Jesus is the glory of God" or "Let your light shine through", remember that the glory of Christ isn't locked away in heaven. It's very much alive, and it can shine from your life into a dark and hurting world.

Hands cradling a worn clay pot with cracks highlighted by light (image generated with Midjourney)

Understanding 2 Corinthians 4:7: Treasures in Jars of Clay

When Paul talks about treasures in jars of clay in 2 Corinthians 4:7, he’s giving us one of the most vivid and humbling images in the Bible. It’s easy to picture: ordinary clay jars, the kind you’d find in every home, holding something priceless inside.

The treasure Paul speaks of is the knowledge of God's glory revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. It's the light of Jesus, the power of salvation, and the presence of the Holy Spirit living within us. 

And yet, God chooses to place this incredible treasure inside people like us: fragile, flawed, easily cracked.

Why would God do that? 

By doing so, He’s making one thing clear: the strength we show, the love we give, the hope we carry, it’s not from us. It’s from Him. Our weakness makes His glory shine even brighter. Here’s a breakdown of His divine motives:

• He is revealing that the power is His, not ours (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• He is preventing pride.
• He is showing the miracle of transformation.

Being a "jar of clay" means you don't have to be perfect for God to use you. You just have to be willing. Your cracks don’t disqualify you, they’re where the light of Christ shines through the brightest. 

After all, if God would only use the strongest, the most impressive, the least broken jars, we’d be tempted to worship the vessel instead of the treasure.

Let Your Light Shine For Jesus: The Call of Every Believer

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus taught:

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven". 

He was inviting us to let the love, grace, and light from God shine through every part of life.

When you do good deeds and have faith, you shine the light of Jesus. You are becoming part of God's plan to push back the darkness.

Philippians 2:15 calls believers to "shine like stars in the sky" in a world that often feels crooked and broken. 

And Ephesians 5:8 reminds us:

 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light".

Letting your light shine is about being available. It's about letting the treasure inside you, the light of Christ, spill out into a world desperate for hope.

Living as Jars of Clay: Practical Examples

Living as jars of clay means embracing our weaknesses and allowing God's power to shine through us. Every crack in our lives becomes a place where the light of Jesus can break through.

Here are some practical ways you can live out this beautiful reality:

• Encouraging others when you're struggling yourself: Even when you're tired or overwhelmed, a simple word of encouragement can carry the light of Christ into someone else's darkness.
• Forgiving even when it hurts: Choosing forgiveness, especially when it’s difficult, lets God’s grace shine through your life.
• Serving without expecting anything in return: Acts of selfless kindness reflect the servant heart of Jesus to a watching world.
• Holding onto faith during hard seasons: Staying faithful when life feels heavy shows others that hope is not based on circumstances but on Christ.
• Admitting your need for God: Being honest about your struggles invites others to experience God's strength and compassion.

Living as a jar of clay doesn’t mean hiding your flaws. It means trusting that God's light shines brightest right through them.

A solitary clay jar standing firm in the middle of a stormy desert, symbolizing enduring through hardship by God's power (image generated with Midjourney)

Final Thoughts: Fragile but Filled

When we slow down and sit with 2 Corinthians 4:7, we see a story far bigger than a single verse. It’s a story that starts with the God of light speaking into darkness, calling forth life, and now lighting up our hearts through the face of Jesus Christ. 

From Genesis to the Gospels to Paul’s letters, the message is the same: Christ is the light, and His light changes everything.

We are jars of clay, simple and flawed. Yet God places His priceless treasure (His glory, His Spirit, the light of Jesus) inside us. Even when we crack, even when we break, His light pours out all the more.

Throughout this article, we’ve seen how God’s glory is revealed personally through Christ, how the light of Jesus is meant to shine through our lives, and how our very brokenness becomes the platform for God’s power. We’ve also looked at how Scripture calls us to live out that light.

If you take anything with you from this, let it be this truth: you don’t have to be perfect to carry God’s glory. You simply have to be willing to shine.

You are a fragile vessel, yes, but you are also filled with an eternal light that will never be overcome.

If this verse sparked questions, don't let the conversation stop here. Bible Chat App gives thoughtful, Scripture-based answers. Whether you're wrestling with what it means to carry God's light or just want to explore more about His glory, there's a place for you there.

Sometimes the most life-changing truths are the ones we explore slowly, prayerfully, and with help from others.

References

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan, 2011.

Wright, N.T. Paul for Everyone: 2 Corinthians. SPCK Publishing, 2004.

GotQuestions.org, "What does it mean that we have treasures in jars of clay / earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7)?", https://www.gotquestions.org/treasures-in-jars-of-clay.html