有这宝贝在瓦器里
林后四章七节的“但”字，指明与本节之前所说的成对比。保罗在六节说，“因为那说光要从黑暗里照出来的神，已经照在我们心里，为着光照人，使人认识那显在耶稣基督面上之神的荣耀。”“这宝贝”是指着六节说的。因着我们心里所得着的光照，我们有了这宝贝－奇妙、贵重、了不起的宝贝；但是，这宝贝却是放在平凡无奇的瓦器里。
七节整节说，“但我们有这宝贝在瓦器里，要显明这超越的能力，是属于神，不是出于我们。”“超越”或作超绝、优越、极大。我们是瓦器这个事实，就证明超越的能力是属于神，不是出于我们。保罗这里的意思是说，“我不过是瓦器，卑贱、毫无价值。在我自己里面，我是罪恶、堕落、卑贱的。这样一个人怎能将真理显扬出来，将福音的荣耀照射出去？我没有能力作这事。超越的能力不是出于我，乃是属于神。我虽然是没有价值的瓦器，但神却将这宝贝照进我里面。现在这宝贝成了能力的源头，使我有动力，能将神的荣光照耀出去，也把真理显扬出来。”
你里面难道没有一个神圣的马达？这奇妙的宝贝如今乃是属天的马达，从我们里面加给我们力量。传道人常常告诉人说，基督赐人平安。在我的经历中，祂常常不是赐我平安。祂赐给我喜乐，但不赐我平安，祂一直在我里面搅扰我。我若不顺从祂在我里面的搅扰，就得不着平安。主时常在里面搅扰你，这难道不是真的么？这个宝贝活泼、活跃的在我们里面运行。这宝贝甚至困迫我们去作一些事情。根据林后五章所说，基督的爱困迫我们。基督不仅搅扰我们，祂也困迫我们、驱策我们。这就是使徒们这样行事为人之能力、力量的源头，叫他们将福音照耀出去，将真理显扬出来。
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This Treasure in Earthen Vessel – 1 Cor. 4:7
The word “But” in 2 Corinthians 4:7 indicates a contrast with what was said in the previous verse. In verse 6, Paul said, “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” The “treasure” refers to what is spoken of in verse 6. Because of the divine shining in our hearts, we have received this treasure — a marvelous, precious and extraordinary treasure. Yet, this treasure is placed in ordinary, unremarkable earthen vessels.
Verse 7 says in full, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of power will of God and not from ourselves;” The word “surpassing” can also be rendered as transcendence or supreme might. The fact that we are earthen vessels proves that this surpassing power is of God and not from ourselves. Paul’s meaning here is, “I am nothing more than an earthen vessel — lowly and worthless. In myself, I am sinful, fallen and vile. How could such a one manifest truth or shine forth the glory of the gospel? I have no power to do this. The surpassing power is not out of me — it is of God. Though I am a worthless vessel, God has shined this treasure into me. Now this treasure has become the source of power, energizing me to shine forth God’s glory and to manifest the truth.”
Don’t you have a divine motor within you? This marvelous treasure has now become a heavenly engine within, supplying us with strength. Preachers often tell people that Christ gives peace. In my experience, He often does not give me peace. He gives me joy, but not peace — He frequently disturbs me within. If I don’t obey His inward disturbance, I will not have peace. Isn’t it true that the Lord often disturbs you inwardly? This treasure is living and active, operating in us. This treasure even compels us to do certain things. According to chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians, the love of Christ constrains us. Christ not only disturbs us; He also constrains and urges us. This is the very source of power and strength behind the apostles’ way of life, enabling them to shine forth the gospel and to manifest the truth.