Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 4:5
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation while defending his apostolic conduct against competing preachers. He clarifies the actual focus of his ministry at a moment when his methods were being questioned.
The words — The verb κηρύσσομεν (kērussomen) literally means "we proclaim," negated by οὐ (ou) "not" to explicitly rule out self-promotion. The pronoun ἑαυτοὺς (he'autous) "ourselves" is directly contrasted with Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν κύριον "Jesus Christ as Lord."
The thread — This pattern of Christ-centered proclamation and servant posture appears in 1 Corinthians 1:23 and 1 Thessalonians 2:5, where the message remains Christ crucified and the delivery rejects flattery or greed. Paul reinforces the same boundary in 2 Corinthians 1:24 by stating he does not dominate their faith but functions as a fellow worker.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to measure ministry by its proclaimed subject rather than the messenger's reputation. It demands the rejection of self-advancement and the acceptance of designated service to others as a direct result of acknowledging Jesus Christ's authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
- 2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
- Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
- Philippians 1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
- Philippians 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- 1 Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
- 1 Corinthians 3:5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.