Summary: 1-2 Since we have this ministry (of righteous) we don’t lose heart- cz of Christ our righteousness. We share just the truth- and people seeing this commend us and their conscience agree, before God. N the people won’t turn around (from their conscience seeing wrong) and say you preach this but do this bcz they’ve renounced the hidden things of shame- like sinful lives/habits. 3-4 the veil still covers some people, blinded minds by Satan, not being able to understand or receive the gospel bcz of being blinded by Satan (pride, loving sinful living- it’s like a blindfold cz if someone corrects u, ur just gonna think thyre hating cz u don’t see anything wrong with it, cz u love ur sin). 5 It’s not about us, it’s about Christ, and serving His body. 6 The same God who said let their be light and there was light out of darkness (Jesus- I am the light of the world, no man comes to the Father expect through me) - He then shows the character of the Father through Himself. 7 we’re earthen vessels (made of dust/weak and frail) carrying treasure (light of the knowledge of the glory of God) that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us- Him using weak and frail instruments leaves no room for self exaltation- taking credit. 8-9 psalms 34:19 “many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all” so even though as His followers we go through had times, God is with and delivers according to His will. 10-11 so we too go through what Jesus went through, live like He did which includes suffering. 12 so then we suffer for the benefit of others, like a mother and her kids, willing to suffer so thyre provided for, or like a martyr dying and by that, an unbeliever becomes curious and through that may be saved. 13-15 their faith is shown by what they say and do, also having the hope that they too will be raised after death as Jesus rose and 15 the more people that know God, the more glory to Him. 16 even though our natural body is getting old, our inward by God renewed day by day. Physically weak, spiritually stronger. 17 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”- Roman 8:18 so what we’re going through now is little, when we see the glory awaiting we’ll see the suffering as tiny tiny, minor things. So these earthly things are only temporary, don’t worry about it, it’ll all pass, focus on what’s eternal (heavenly things). 18. - the suffering is good for us bcz when we’re pushed, persecuted, etc, when that vessel breaks, what’s inside (the treasure/ character of God) is revealed. - when I’m pushed and react badly, it shows the state of my heart, that God is still working on me, and it’s all being pushed up, character refinement - and as God is working on me, when my buttons are pressed, now only love is coming out, patience, the fruits of the Holy Spirit- born again- reflecting the character of God. Now as they push me and see a non human reaction (love etc) they wonder how, the character of God is revealed and they are drawn to Him, He is glorified, they are saved through my suffering - vs 14. Also Isiah 60 talks about multitudes come to God not through yapping but when the glory of God is seen- when the see God in us - Nothing good comes easy (Satan brings it easily) but all the good stuff come with effort n work (things from God) - waking up out of bed and going to work, making yourself read the Bible etc, procrastination is easy etc