Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthan church, mid-argument that he and his co-workers do not commend themselves but Christ as Lord (4:5), and that the power they carry is God's, not their own (4:7).
The words — φῶς (phōs, "light") appears twice in the verse, bracketing the sentence and echoing the creation command. σκὸτος (skotos, "darkness") is the prepositional object of ἐκ, marking the source from which light emerges.
The thread — The verse quotes or alludes to Genesis 1:3 ("Let there be light") and resonates with Isaiah 60:2, where the LORD rises over the darkness covering the earth. 1 Peter 2:9 extends the same motif to the people who now proclaim the virtues of the one who called them out of darkness.
Why it lands — The light is not the reader's achievement but God's act shining in the reader's heart; the knowledge of God's glory in Christ's face is received, not produced.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 60:2 For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.
- Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- 2 Peter 1:19 We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
- Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
- Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- Exodus 33:18 Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”