2 Corinthians 4

Which worship songs are based on 2 Corinthians 4?

WHAT LIVING IS ALL ABOUT — Forrest Frank (2024) 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
The testimony explicitly identifies Paul's imagery of a veil obscuring spiritual understanding and its removal when a person turns to the Lord.
O Great God — Sovereign Grace Music (2020) 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
The testimony of former spiritual blindness followed by divine illumination through the gospel of the Son closely follows Paul’s description of blinded minds receiving God’s light in the knowledge of Christ.
Lights On — Trip Lee (2014) 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
The combination of satanic concealment, blinded minds, obscured glory, and God's illuminating intervention closely follows Paul's description of spiritual blindness and God shining light into human hearts.
What We Proclaim — Brandon Heath & Mike Donehey & Aaron Shust (2009) 2 Corinthians 4:5
The chorus directly adapts Paul's rejection of self-proclamation in favor of proclaiming Jesus Christ. Its placement alongside material from the same chapter makes the source unmistakable.
Grace Alone — Kings Kaleidoscope (2014) 2 Corinthians 4:6
The description of Christ's light shining within a previously darkened heart closely follows Paul's account of God bringing spiritual illumination into human hearts.
Amazed By You — Elevation Worship (2009) 2 Corinthians 4:6
The second verse's description of divine illumination within the heart closely echoes Paul's description of God illuminating human hearts with the knowledge of his glory in Christ.
Unashamed — The Persuaded & Kevin Young (2019) 2 Corinthians 4:6
The image of divine light shining within human hearts amid darkness closely reflects Paul's description of God illuminating believers' hearts through Christ.
Your Light — Jon Thurlow (2017) 2 Corinthians 4:6
The chorus presents God as placing divine light within the heart and overcoming darkness, closely corresponding to Paul's description of God shining light in human hearts.
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) [Alternate Version] — Hillsong Worship (2014) 2 Corinthians 4:7-11
The second verse closely adapts Paul's description of divine treasure held in fragile earthen containers. Its emphasis on human weakness and making Christ's life visible also reflects the surrounding passage.
Water and Dust — Cory Asbury (2018) 2 Corinthians 4:7
The song closely combines Paul's image of divine treasure contained in fragile clay vessels with his repeated exhortation not to lose heart.
Never Shaken — Sam Purpose (2021) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The paired descriptions of oppression, perplexity, and survival closely rework Paul’s catalogue of believers enduring severe pressure without being crushed or destroyed.
Down — Bizzle & Joey Vantes (2018) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The chorus closely echoes Paul’s contrast between suffering real blows and nevertheless not being destroyed. Its surrounding emphasis on distress, persecution, and continued endurance reinforces the connection.
Estamos de Pé (Ao Vivo) — Marcus Salles (2020) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The opening sequence closely reproduces Paul’s paired descriptions of affliction without defeat, including perplexity, persecution, abandonment, and destruction.
Estamos de Pé - Ao Vivo — Marcus Salles (2021) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The opening sequence closely reproduces Paul’s four contrasts concerning pressure, perplexity, persecution, and being struck down without final defeat.
Opened Up My Eyes — Jason Crabb (2015) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The opening closely adapts Paul's description of pressure on every side without ultimate defeat. Its sequence of suffering followed by a refusal of abandonment or destruction echoes the passage's distinctive structure.
Never Quit — Sam Purpose (2017) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Paul’s contrast between severe pressure and ultimate destruction is reproduced as a declaration of endurance under hardship.
Undefeated — KB & Tauren Wells (2017) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The opening description of believers as pressured, persecuted, and struck down while remaining unconquered closely follows Paul’s account of suffering without destruction.
Take It All Back — Tauren Wells & Davies. & We The Kingdom (2022) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The distinction between being wounded and being destroyed closely mirrors Paul’s description of believers enduring severe affliction without being defeated.
Farther Along — Josh Garrels (2011) 2 Corinthians 4:8
The description of being pressed from every direction closely reproduces Paul's account of affliction. The surrounding determination to persevere also fits the passage's distinction between suffering and defeat.
Turning Around For Me — VaShawn Mitchell (2013) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The opening directly reproduces Paul's contrast between being knocked down and being destroyed, while adapting his broader description of affliction without ultimate defeat.
Can't Take My Joy Away — VaShawn Mitchell (2011) 2 Corinthians 4:9
The chorus directly reproduces Paul's paired declarations that persecution does not mean abandonment and being struck down does not mean destruction.
Survivor — Da’ T.R.U.T.H. (2011) 2 Corinthians 4:9
The outro directly reproduces Paul's contrast between being knocked down and nevertheless escaping destruction, applying apostolic endurance to the song's audience.
Day By Day — Andrew Peterson (2012) 2 Corinthians 4:16
The bridge and outro closely adapt Paul's encouragement against discouragement, contrasting outward bodily deterioration with inward renewal occurring daily.
Don’t Lose Heart — Steven Curtis Chapman (2022) 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
The central exhortation and the contrast between temporary affliction and incomparable glory closely paraphrase Paul's encouragement to persevere because present suffering is producing eternal glory.
Don't Be Afraid — Josh Garrels (2019) 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
The song presents present burdens as unable to destroy the inner person and as preparation for coming glory. This closely parallels Paul's contrast between temporary affliction, inward renewal, and the eternal weight of glory it prepares.
Where Are You? (We will not lose heart) — Tenielle Neda (2025) 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The bridge’s repeated resolve against discouragement and the chorus’s focus on invisible, eternal realities closely follow Paul’s contrast between temporary affliction and eternal glory.
Only Temporary — MercyMe (2009) 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The song measures present difficulties against eternity, emphasizing their temporary duration. This closely adapts Paul’s contrast between momentary affliction and eternal glory, and between temporary earthly realities and eternal ones.
The Broken — Bebo Norman (2012) 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The song contrasts the burden of suffering with the surpassing weight of divine glory, closely adapting Paul's contrast between affliction and eternal glory. Its subsequent appeal to eternal realities reinforces this connection.
Temporary — Blanca (2025) 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The description of present hardships as brief and temporary closely parallels Paul's contrast between momentary affliction and enduring, unseen glory.
How He Loves — John Mark McMillan (2008) 2 Corinthians 4:17
The description of affliction being overshadowed by divine glory closely adapts Paul's contrast between present affliction and the surpassing weight of eternal glory.
Kiss Your Feet — John Mark McMillan (2012) 2 Corinthians 4:17
The bridge closely adapts Paul’s description of present affliction as light. In the context of the song’s sustained suffering, this invokes his reframing of hardship in relation to eternal glory, although the song does not explicitly mention that glory.
Butterfly — Josh Garrels (2019) 2 Corinthians 4:17
The description of glory as possessing weight directly invokes Paul’s contrast between present affliction and the surpassing glory being prepared for believers.
How He Loves — Crowder (2020) 2 Corinthians 4:17
The contrast between present affliction and an overwhelming glory closely reflects Paul's description of temporary suffering being outweighed by eternal glory.
Rise My Soul The Lord Is Risen (Live) — CityAlight (2024) 2 Corinthians 4:17
The contrast between brief present trials and approaching glory closely follows Paul’s contrast between momentary affliction and an eternal weight of glory.
Only for a Moment — Danny Gokey (2024) 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The song presents present suffering as temporary and encourages perseverance in view of the good God is bringing through it, closely reflecting Paul's contrast between momentary affliction and future glory.
Keep On Keeping On — Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (2021) 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The bridge closely follows Paul's contrast between brief present affliction and the eternal glory God is producing through it. The song likewise directs attention beyond visible suffering toward its everlasting outcome.
Before the Morning — Josh Wilson (2010) 2 Corinthians 4:17
The bridge uses Paul's distinctive imagery of glory possessing weight and contrasts it with suffering that will pass. This closely adapts the verse's contrast between temporary affliction and enduring glory.
How He Loves — Flyleaf (2010) 2 Corinthians 4:17
The verse depicts affliction being overshadowed by divine glory, closely adapting Paul's contrast between present suffering and an immeasurably greater eternal glory. The surrounding imagery of weight reinforces the connection.
not by sight — Stephen Stanley (2024) 2 Corinthians 4:18
The chorus closely reflects Paul's contrast between visible, temporary circumstances and unseen, eternal realities by describing an intentional search beyond what the eyes can perceive.
ALL THINGS — Anna Golden (2021) 2 Corinthians 4:18
The bridge deliberately directs attention away from visible circumstances and toward unseen realities, closely following Paul's contrast between the temporary visible world and the eternal unseen world.
Technicolor — Colton Dixon (2017) 2 Corinthians 4:18
The song contrasts physical eyesight with a God-given perception of unseen reality and calls for deliberate spiritual focus. This closely reflects Paul's distinction between what is visible and temporary and what is unseen and eternal.

2 Corinthians 4 (King James Version)

¹ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

² But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

³ But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

⁴ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

⁵ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

⁶ 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.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

¹¹ For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

¹² So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

¹³ We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

¹⁴ Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

¹⁶ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.