ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 4 v7a

THIS TREASURE. AMBROSIASTER: By treasure, Paul meant the sacrament of God in Christ, which is made manifest to believers but which has been concealed from unbelievers with a veil. Just as a treasure is put in a hidden place, the sacrament of God is hidden within a person, in his heart. The reference to earthen vessels is an allusion to the weakness of human nature, which can do nothing unless empowered by God. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE SCRIPTURE’S HUMILITY. JEROME: We have a treasure in such vessels of clay. There are many who construe this last expression in reference to the body and to the Holy Spirit, meaning, of course, that we possess a treasure in earthen vessels. There is certainly that interpretation, but I think the better treasury-concept is that we have a most precious treasure in vessels of clay symbolizing the homely words of the Scripture. HOMILY 11 ON PSALM 77 (78).

THE SCRIPTURE’S DEPTH. JEROME: Every word of Scripture is a symbol all its own. These rustic words that persons of every age ponder over are packed full of mystical meaning. “But we carry this treasure in vessels of clay”; we have a divine treasury of meaning in the most ordinary words. HOMILY 20 ON PSALM 90 (91).

2 Cor