Summary: Paul explains their ministry comes from God's mercy. They preach Jesus, not themselves, and hold God's glory within them to show His power, not their own.
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged.
Rather, we have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God, but by the open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.
For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.
But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.