Why Did Paul Say We "Carry Around the Death of Jesus"?

In 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, Paul uses “jars of clay” as a metaphor for our human frailty, but he explains that persecution cannot crush (destroy) us because we're filled with the treasure of God’s strength. 

 

“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

This is comforting because 2 Timothy 3:12 explains that all genuine believers will be persecuted, and this is especially true in our present anti-Christian world. 

Then Paul says something unusual:

“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 

Jesus said we’ll be hated for His sake (John 15:18-19), which Paul describes as being “given over to death for Jesus’ sake” and death “at work within us.” Whenever we suffer for our faith, we’re participating in the persecutions that led to Christ’s death.

Paul considers everything unimportant compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-11). He participated in Christ's sufferings many times in his life (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). Dear Lord, give us that kind of devotion!

💙💙💙

For more encouragement on this subject, see “Dead” People Expect Persecution and “Dead” People Have a Different Perspective.

 

BLN