Things are never straightforward with Paul. He gives the Corinthians a glimpse of how it is for him. Fragile, like a clay pot, bruised and battered by others, experiencing a sense of dying. But, he says, the pot is full of treasure. Knocked down, he is never ‘out for the count’. Experiencing a sense of dying, he is able to bring life to others. What a man! Catch the mood of Paul’s words as he recalls the pressure and perplexity, the persecution and pain that had been his lot.

This is light years away from the notion that can work its way into our consciousness that our following of Christ will give us a life of ease and plenty. It’s so easy to develop a ‘L’Oreal’ spirituality: ‘because you’re worth it’! But it is not so. Ease and plenty are not our destiny as disciples. We are more likely to encounter threat and danger. But with it the sheer exhilaration of following Jesus. And this fragile, unprepossessing clay pot, despite all that has conspired to destroy it, remains unbroken, still holding the priceless treasure of the gospel (v 7).

Pray, ‘My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.’¹

It is a human disposition to boast. Apparently this was even more so in the classical world, as numerous ancient tablets and monuments testify. We see the same today in the art of the CV, in which applicants for jobs big themselves up and compete for attention. Having read a few, it surprises me that people aren’t more ashamed than they are to boast of their alleged skills and achievements. 

Clay pots are the delight of archaeologists because they are so common, found at any dig. Sometimes they actually contain valuables like hoards of silver coins. We see here how self-effacing Paul is. He is a clay pot: what is important is what it contains of God (v 7). Paul did not regard himself as a Christian celebrity, full of glamour and flashing teeth. Quite the opposite. He is forever ‘being given over to death for Jesus’ sake’ (v 11). He boasts of his weakness and fragility, ‘hard pressed on every side’ (v 8) and yet, deep down, sustained by a resilience and ability to endure – strengths that can only be attributed to God.

Those who are unable to see the glory of Christ that is found in the light of the gospel (v 4) might have reason to make much of themselves, but those who have seen the face of Jesus Christ have something better to live for. Along with John the Baptist, they say, ‘He must become greater; I must become less.’² There is a quite legitimate self-care by which we maintain the health of body, soul and spirit. Paul’s pressures and problems were inflicted upon him by others rather than by himself (though no doubt he could have done better). It is not without cost, however, that we follow Christ – and neither should it be. Yet cross leads to resurrection; death to life (v 10).

Reflect: What did Jesus mean by saying, ‘In this world you will have trouble’?³

¹ Ps 51:17  ² John 3:30  ³ John 16:33