v1: "This ministry", described in 2.14 – 3.18; the message of Christ, the calling of God, the liberty of the Spirit. Therefore we do not lose heart, for we know the value and importance of the message (1 Cor 15.58). We have become partakers of the message, we have received mercy in Christ. Paul is also speaking of his personal experience here, since through all the struggles and trials, he did not lose heart, see v8-9.

v2: We have a responsibility to bring the message of Christ with lives of Christ-likeness, adorning the doctrine (1 Thess 2.1-12). We have confidence in the power of the message to bring salvation; and our lives must be consistent with this message.

Therefore we do not need the hidden things of shame, craftiness, deceit. In 2.17, Paul refers to those who were peddling the word of God.

Paul set forth the truth plainly (or 'manifested'); this is the opposite of 'veiled'; Paul was willing for his life to be examined by others, he was sincere and honest, see Acts 20.34; 1 Thess 2.5. Further, all things of our lives are naked and open before God.

v3-4: Not all believe. But that is not necessarily the result of our weakness, nor of the defectiveness of the message; the god of this age, the devil, has blinded the minds of many. This is evidence of spiritual warfare. Paul has confidence in the power of the gospel as being sufficient to remove this blindness.

v5: Our message is 'Jesus Christ is Lord'. God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, and we are simply the messengers, His servants bringing the message to others. John Piper say;  ‘tell people the good news of Christ from a heart of love and a life of service.’

v6: God has commanded light, as in the creation, so in Christ the light shines. This light shines into our hearts, and is therefore a life-changing message. The message of God's glory shines in the face of Jesus Christ, through His becoming a real man. The gospel is indeed of the glory of Christ.

It is clear that the message is God's truth, and we have no command to alter the message for any reason.

v7: In contrast with the power of the message is the frailty of humanity; this is essential is putting our present trials into an eternal perspective, see Heb 12.2. The excellence of the power of God is seen clearly in plain jars of clay (earthen vessels). In this way, the glory belongs only to God; and we must not seek that glory which is rightly His.

v8-11: Our life is full of trials, we are hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down; in all these things we share in the very sufferings of Christ; for He came in the likeness of man. As we are mistreated and endure suffering, the life of Jesus becomes more evident, and greater glory goes to Him.

We are not crushed, nor in despair, nor abandoned, nor destroyed, for Christ is faithful; His life is in us, and we have hope. However extreme our circumstances are, we are not crushed for we have hope. The clear expectation is that death itself is near, but His life shines through.

The hardships of life and the harshness of men remind us of our weakness, and of God's power.

v12: The Corinthians had apparently missed out on the suffering that others had endured, see 1 Cor 4.8-10. Paul is not so much interested in how much suffering they are enduring, but rather that the life of Christ is demonstrated.

v13: We have a sure faith, even if our experiences are different. The outworking is personal testimony, and true quality of life.

v14: Our confidence in times of trial, that the Lord Jesus has been raised up, and we shall be raised up with Him. Physical hardship, however severe, is only temporary, see v17. We share this confidence with those whose suffering is much less than ours, and with those whose suffering is much greater than ours.

v15: Whatever we endure is for the blessing of others, and ultimately for the glory of God.

v16: With such confidence we do not lose heart; all physical things, even our human body, are perishing, wasting away, dying; but through all our experiences the inward man is being renewed. There is a constant growth in grace.

John Piper in Don't Waste Your Life, says that 'momentary' refers to a life-time in comparison with eternity. 'Slight' refers to suffering anddeath compared to the weight of everlasting joy in the presence of God.'

v17: The perspective of eternity; our light affliction, which is for a mere moment, is far outweighed by the glories to come, see 1 Pet 1.6. We learn also that this world is passing away. Paul refers here to this present life, characterised by affliction; but this life is short compared with eternity.

This "light affliction" refers not just to illness, pain, persecution, but to disappointments, physical frailty, broken relationships, and much more.

v18: Spiritual things are eternal; what we see is only temporary, and will not last. Having understood that those things do not last, we learn not to set our hearts upon them. Equally, having learned that spiritual things are eternal, we do set our hearts on them. Like Moses, we see Him who is invisible, Heb 11.27. Paul does not speak of some extra-human existence, but rather of the deeper reality that is in Christ.