But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
All Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:7 Go To 2 Corinthians 4
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Both the greatness of the things given and the weakness of them that receive show the power of God, who not only gave great things but also gave them to those who are little. He used the term earthen in allusion to the frailty of our mortal nature and to declare the weakness of our flesh. For it is no better than earthenware, which is soon damaged and destroyed by death, disease and even variations of temperature. The power of God is most conspicuous when it performs mighty works by using vile and lowly things.
