“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.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 4:6 Mean?
Paul draws a parallel between the original creation and spiritual conversion. The same God who said "Let there be light" in Genesis 1 has shone in our hearts. The creation of physical light and the creation of spiritual illumination come from the same source and the same command.
The light that shines in believers' hearts has a specific purpose: to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. It is not generic enlightenment. It is specific — knowledge of God's glory, his weight, his radiance, his true character.
"In the face of Jesus Christ" locates this glory in a specific person. You see God's glory not in abstract theology but in the face of Jesus. His life, his character, his words, his actions — that is where the glory is displayed.
The verse combines creation theology with Christology in a single sentence: the creator God who commands light into existence has done the same thing inside you — and what he illuminated is the face of his Son.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does comparing your conversion to God's creation of light change how you see your faith?
- 2.What does it mean that God's glory is seen 'in the face of Jesus Christ' rather than in abstract concepts?
- 3.Where is God's light still shining into dark places in your heart?
- 4.How does knowing that spiritual illumination is God's work, not yours, affect your confidence?
Devotional
God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts. The same creative power that said "Let there be light" and lit up the universe — that power has been aimed at the inside of your chest.
Hath shined in our hearts. Not informed our minds. Not corrected our behavior. Shined in our hearts. The deepest part of you has been invaded by the same light that created the cosmos.
To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The light has a destination and a content. It illuminates God's glory — and it does so through a specific face. Jesus. When you look at him, you see what God's glory actually looks like in a human life.
This means conversion is not a decision you made. It is a light that was shined. God spoke into the darkness of your heart the same way he spoke into the darkness before creation. And light came.
If you are alive spiritually, it is because a creative act happened inside you. The same God. The same command. The same light. Shining now in you.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,.... The causal particle for, shows these words to be also a…
For God, who commanded ... - The design of this verse seems to be, to give a reason why Paul and his fellow-apostles did…
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness - The apostle refers here to Gen 1:3. For when God created the…
The apostle had, in the foregoing chapter, been magnifying his office, upon the consideration of the excellency or glory…
For God … shined Literally, Because it is God Who shined, and therefore, if the doctrine of the ministers of Christ were…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture