But we’re like clay jars that hold a valuable treasure. We carry the good news around in these earthly bodies of ours to show that its mighty power comes from God and not from us.
We know the earthly tent we live in will be destroyed. But we have a building made by God himself, a house not made by human hands. It lasts forever, waiting for us in heaven.
God chose the things of this world that are common, and which are looked down on as if they were nothing, in order to discredit the things that are considered significant.
God has chosen to make known to them the glorious riches of that mystery among the Gentiles. And here’s what it is: Christ is in you, the hope of glory.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that was hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then he went and gladly sold everything he had to buy that field.
In a wealthy home there are things made out of gold and silver as well as things made out of wood and clay. Some are used for special occasions like dinner parties, and others are used for the dirtier jobs.
When you were baptized, you were buried together with Christ, and you were raised to life with him by believing in the work that God did when he raised Jesus from the dead.
because our good news didn’t just come to you through our words. It came with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with great confidence. You know what we went through for your sake when we were with you.
It’s true that Christ was nailed to the cross in weakness, but now he’s alive by God’s power. In the same way, we share his weakness, but by God’s power we’ll be alive with Christ as we deal with you.
He said to them, “Every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings new treasures out of his storeroom along with the old ones.”
“I’ve told you these things so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you’re going to have trouble. But be encouraged! I’ve already defeated the world.”