The second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians is one of the Proto Pauline letters. St. Paul himself wrote this letter before or after reaching Ephesus from Corinth and Titus carried this letter to Corinth. St. Paul wrote this letter because his second visit to Corinth was a failure. Someone insulted him publicly and undermined his authority with the community (2 Cor 2:5-11). St. Paul uses lot of metaphors, imageries, etc. in his writings. He used the imagery of “clay jars” which is our focus in this article. The imagery of clay is also used by Prophet Jeremiah (Jer 19:1) and Prophet Isaiah (Is 45:9). The verse “2 Cor 4:7” is also important because one of the main theme in the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians is “Glory of God” which is expressed in this verse.
Let’s do the Analysis of the Phrase: “Treasure in clay jars”
‘Treasure’
The word treasure has been derived from the Greek word thesaurus which means “store, treasure, treasure house”. A treasure is something very valuable and precious. Materially it would be Gold, diamond, pearls, etc. In Good News Bible, it is translated as spiritual treasure. While others consider this treasure to be is “Gospel”. But what St. Paul speaks about is not the material treasure, but spiritual treasure that is hidden within us. This treasure cannot be seen but it is shown through our action. We can call ourselves as the clay jars (our body) and treasures are the various gifts that God has bestowed on us. So what does the treasure signify? Treasure signifies:
- Presence of God- God’s presence in our hearts and bodies is power. It is the power to convert and transform us into new creation (2 Cor 5:17). It is the power to convert and transform us into new people (Eph 4:24). It is the power to put His Divine Nature into us (2 Pet 1:4). It is the power to give us life, both abundant and eternal (Jn 10:10).
- God’s Spirit that is within us- This Spirit is given to us by God Himself on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4). God’s Spirit present in us gives us the extra ordinary power to proclaim and confess with our lives that Jesus Christ is the Lord.
- Faith in Christ- This faith is our response to God. In New Testament, Jesus praises many for their Faith in Him like the Canaanite woman’s faith (Mt 15: 28); the healing of blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:52). St. Paul proclaims his faith in Christ before Magistrate and also reminds others of their faith (2 Tim 1:5).
- Salvific message (Gospel) – According to St. Paul, the treasure is the salvific message given by Christ. 1 Cor 9:16 Paul says, “Woe to me if I don’t proclaim the Gospel”.
‘In’
In Greek translation of the preposition used is ‘ἐν’ to signify the clay jar containing the treasure. It shows the separation of the treasure from the jar, in the sense the treasure is not part of the jar but an external substance connected to the jar.
‘Clay Jars’
Greek ‘Πηλός’ (pêlós) means sticky matter. The word clay is used in two senses, life from the soil and vessels. Both of these have direct and profound significance to humanity. Clay jars is an allusion to the weaknesses of human nature which can do nothing unless it receives power of God. 2 Cor 3:3, makes a comparison between ‘Stone (Clay) tablets’ and ‘Heart Tablets’ (heart made of stone) on which Christ writes with the Spirit of God. The ‘Tablets’ mentioned in Old Testament were made of Clay. 2 Cor 4:7, also mentions Jars made of Clay which refers to human body with all its mortal characteristics (4:11, 4:8-10). Both the passages used clay and its characteristics to describe human nature. 2 Cor 4:1-15, the whole chapter revolves around clay jars. Jeremiah 18, the whole chapter speaks about potter and the clay, giving emphasis on clay in God’s hands (18:16) who forms the jars. Jeremiah 19, this following chapter also speaks about earthen jug but not about its formation but its breaking, which refers to the breaking of the people. Rom 9 – But in the Letter to Romans, St. Paul focuses on potters right over the clay (9:21) again focusing the making of the object for special cause.
How we can apply this phrase to our life?
- Paul reminds us that we are humans along with our weaknesses as a part and parcel. And because of our weaknesses we are bound to be afflicted, perplexed and struck down by others and moreover we are reminded of our death, but what is more important is what shines out of our own weakness.
- The content that is held by the vessel is what gives value to the vessel. Therefore figuratively speaking a person as a vessel cannot boast of its importance and superiority just because of the priceless treasure in it for the reason that the jar which is fragile and breakable becomes precious only because of the treasure it receives in it. Therefore our preciousness is because of presence of Christ in us.
- Also referring to the human mortality, it becomes special and worthwhile because of the treasure of Truth, knowledge of glory of God and proclaiming Jesus Christ.
- We are all earthlings, creatures of earth/soil but, God has breathed His life into our being. We may be earthy beings, but God’s life (treasure) is within us. Every human person, though fragile and vulnerable, has Divine presence. Pope Francis speaks of concern for the vulnerable like the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous people, the elderly, migrants, the victims of human trafficking, prostitution, children used for begging, exploited laborers, mistreated women, unborn children, etc.
- Our spiritual life is a journey of seeking God. We are all broken and empty persons. It is only in realizing our earthiness, that we are able to bring wholeness and integrity into our being. We bring God’s healing to ourselves and others. We are wounded healers.
- We are vulnerable to sinful tendencies but God’s treasure of mercy never abandons us. We need to allow ourselves to be penitents of mercy. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is ‘the concrete sign of the constancy of Divine love that pardons and saves’.
- We have the gift of freedom but we have the responsibility to nurture the God given preciousness. Morally we may appear to be autonomous but our human dignity has its origin and destiny in God.
To conclude, I would say that, ‘Treasures in clay jars or earthen vessels’ is a powerful double metaphor that shows God’s trust in all of us and at the same time respects our brokenness which tries to hold God Himself. This imagery used by St. Paul helps us to understand the gifts of God i.e. joy in tribulations, limitations and difficulty. It also tells us that we are all chosen by God as His vessels, therefore God dwells in us and we become the temples of God. Blessed Virgin Mary treasured the most precious treasure (Jesus) in her womb and later gave the treasure to the whole world. Mary as an earthen vessel, the handmaid of the Lord, allowed God to mould her life and prepare her holy womb for Christ. So like Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Paul let us surrender our whole life as clay in the hands of our God (the Potter) and let Him form us as He wants. May we treasure Christ as our treasure of Life.
Fr. Leslie Gomes
Assistant Parish Priest