One gift God has given us when we feel insufficient in dark times is the reminder that "we have this treasure in jars of clay."
One of the original apostles, Paul, wrote this verse, and we know he was no stranger to struggles. The church was born on a spiritual battlefield. They were persecuted by outside forces, infiltrated by false teachers, and frequently had to work through honest disagreements with each other. The writings of Peter, Paul, James, and the other epistle writers can guide us even now.
When Christians use this phrase, "jars of clay," we're usually referring to a deep awareness of how far short we fall, how much we still wrestle with our old sinful nature, and how limited we feel as humans in the face of the world's needs. But what were the biblical writers saying when they first penned this phrase?
Where Does 2 Corinthians Talk about Jars of Clay?
2 Corinthians is Paul's third letter to the church at Corinth, but we don't have one of those letters preserved. So, Bible scholars generally refer to it as his second (the second of the letters collected in the biblical canon). The Corinthians started strong as a Christian community. Still, at the time of this letter, they've been plagued by compromise, false teaching, indulging sin, and disorder. Paul has sent letters to bring them back in line with the gospel and with godly living.
He opens 2 Corinthians 4 with these words: "Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart" (2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV).
The early church was under extreme pressure for several reasons. First, Jesus has entrusted them with spreading the gospel and is determined to do just that. The work would involve separation from loved ones, dangerous travel, unpleasant conditions, rejection, upheaval, and trial. Second, it means shepherding people whose lives are at risk the moment they become followers of Jesus. Third, it means listening to the Holy Spirit and teaching new believers as they organize new churches under new leadership. It means preparing them to survive whatever comes. Fourth, it means battling their temptations and fielding criticism from others. Finally, it means being at risk of losing heart. The modern church is no different.
Some accused Paul and those with him of thinking much of themselves and being puffed up with pride. They said this to drive a wedge between the Corinthians and Paul. Paul reminds them that "what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV).
Then, he wrote the jars of clay passage in 2 Corinthians 4:7-12:
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you." (ESV)
He used this phrase to acknowledge the humanity of those preaching the gospel. Yes, just like commonplace jars of clay, there is nothing particularly special about those who bring the good news of Jesus Christ. Yes, they (we) are imperfect, fragile, and not as important as what they (we) contain. The first man was made from the earth from dust, and we will return to dust.
But this matter of being jars of clay is to demonstrate "the surpassing power" of God. The miracles, the powerful preaching, and the Holy Spirit-driven perseverance of these first men and women testify even today to the power of God.
In our times, we feel many of the same pressures Paul and the apostles felt. We see the evil and corruption of the world and the imperfection of His people and can be tempted to lose heart. In these times, we should turn to the New Testament writers and find hope.
Do Jars of Clay Appear Elsewhere in the Bible?
The image of clay jars appears in several other Bible passages.
In Jeremiah 18, the prophet says God told him to go to the potter's house. As he observed the potter at work, "Then the word of the Lord came to me: 'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.'" (Jeremiah 18:5-6 ESV)
In this passage, God reminds Jeremiah that we are God's creation. He has the right to determine our course and to set us to the purpose for which we've been planned.
Paul echoes this message when he writes to Timothy:
"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:20-21 ESV).
Here, Paul is speaking of those who were once alienated from God (dishonorable vessels) coming to Christ and being set apart for honorable use (carrying the light of the gospel to others). Common vessels are now made holy by the righteousness of Christ.
Paul's reflection in the last part of his letter to the Corinthians returns to the risk of losing heart in 2 Corinthians 4:16 when he writes again, "So we do not lose heart." Paul then speaks about the troubles they face as apostles, as Christians, and as the church. However, he points the believers to the "eternal weight of glory" (v 17).
He encouraged the believers in Corinth and all believers to keep their eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. In doing so, we endure the hard times and rediscover our humanity. We would be wise to do this today.
Adeleide Potter penned all these sentiments into the old hymn, "Have Thine Own Way," in 1906.
In four short, sweet verses, she reflects on what these passages teach:
"Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, as in thy presence humbly I bow.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!"
You can listen to the full song here:
Have Thine Own Way Lord from mannyc1 on GodTube.
How Do We Apply the 'Jars of Clay' Bible Verse Today?
Today, we can use this metaphor of jars of clay in three ways:
First, remember that we are fragile. We do have limits. We will be imperfect. So, we must rely on the light of Christ within us and the power of the Holy Spirit, not on our own strength. By relying on Christ, we can be defended against a loss of heart.
Second, remember this is true of others. Leaders, teachers, missionaries, pastors, and mentors are not perfect. They are saved by grace. Pray for one another. Treat one another with compassion. Apply correction with gentleness, mercy, and humility.
Finally, we can remember that there is a potter. God is sovereign even when the world seems destined to fall apart, or the sins of humanity seem to overwhelm the headlines. It felt this way in the times of the early church, and it has felt like this for other generations of Christians. Still, we do not lose heart because Christ is with us. He remembers that we are "but dust" (Psalm 103:14).
Take heart. The Bible is as relevant today as it was when it was written and can help us "jars of clay" shine with the light of Christ even in the darkest times.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Tanes Ngamsom
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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