King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 4:6 Mean?

2 Corinthians 4:6 in the King James Version says “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge... — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. hath: Gr. is he who hath

2 Corinthians 4:6 · KJV


Context

4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. hath: Gr. is he who hath

7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; in despair: or, altogether without help, or, means


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness (ho theos ho eipōn ek skotous phōs lampsai, ὁ θεὸς ὁ εἰπὼν ἐκ σκότους φῶς λάμψαι)—Paul invokes Genesis 1:3 ('Let there be light') to describe conversion. The God who spoke creation into existence hath shined in our hearts (elampen en tais kardiais hēmōn, ἔλαμψεν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν). Salvation is new creation, not self-improvement—just as original light required divine fiat, so does spiritual illumination.

To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (pros phōtismon tēs gnōseōs tēs doxēs tou theou en prosōpō Christou, πρὸς φωτισμὸν τῆς γνώσεως τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν προσώπῳ Χριστοῦ)—God's glory is revealed in the face (en prosōpō, ἐν προσώπῳ) of Christ, not in abstract theology. To know Christ is to know God's glory. This is personal, relational knowledge (gnōsis, γνῶσις), not mere information.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's Genesis 1 allusion would resonate powerfully with Jewish readers who saw creation and redemption as parallel works of God. The concept of God's glory revealed in a human face (Christ) was scandalous to both Jews (who avoided divine representations) and Greeks (who saw deity in idealized forms). Paul insists the crucified Christ reveals God's true glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does viewing conversion as 'new creation' rather than human decision affect your understanding of evangelism and discipleship?
  2. Where do you seek knowledge of God's glory apart from 'the face of Jesus Christ'—through experiences, ideas, or methods divorced from Christ?
  3. What does it mean practically that the same God who created light creates spiritual sight in your heart?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ὅτι1 of 27

For

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τοῦ2 of 27

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ3 of 27

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τοῦ4 of 27

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εἰπών5 of 27

commanded

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ἐκ6 of 27

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

σκότους7 of 27

darkness

G4655

shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)

φῶς8 of 27

the light

G5457

luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)

ἔλαμψεν9 of 27

hath shined

G2989

to beam, i.e., radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively)

ὃς10 of 27
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἔλαμψεν11 of 27

hath shined

G2989

to beam, i.e., radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively)

ἐν12 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τοῦ13 of 27

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίαις14 of 27

hearts

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

ἡμῶν15 of 27

our

G2257

of (or from) us

πρὸς16 of 27

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

φωτισμὸν17 of 27

give the light

G5462

illumination (figuratively)

τοῦ18 of 27

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γνώσεως19 of 27

of the knowledge

G1108

knowing (the act), i.e., (by implication) knowledge

τοῦ20 of 27

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δόξης21 of 27

of the glory

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

τοῦ22 of 27

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ23 of 27

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐν24 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

προσώπῳ25 of 27

the face

G4383

the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person

Ἰησοῦ26 of 27

of Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ27 of 27

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 4:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 4:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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