Answer: The Apostle Paul applies the truth to himself to illustrate how God deals with us that the light of the knowledge of the glory of God which He has put in our (bodies as) earthen vessels might shine out.
In chapter 3:3, Christ is written in our hearts; and in verse 18 we have Christ as our object in glory, to transform us into His image.
In chapter 4:7-11, He deals with our wills, sending us circumstances that bring us, and that keep us, in dependence on God, so that His power might work in our weakness, so that in the trials sent, we realize the sustaining power of God, and are carried through all, in dependence on Him. And so the life of Jesus, who ever walked in dependence on God His Father, is manifested in the believer, always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus might be manifested in his mortal body. And it is “for Jesus’ sake,” “on account of Jesus.” It helps us, as we think of this as the reason for all the discipline of our Father’s hand, in what He puts us through, to patiently, and also with joy, submit to His will, knowing that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (Verse 17).
Question: What does one receive by the New Birth?
Question: When does one receive the Holy Ghost?
Question: Do we receive power to live for Christ when we receive the Holy Ghost?
Question: Is being “born again” and having “eternal life,” the same thing in this present time?
Answer: Yes, at the first, feeling our own lost and sinful condition, and on receiving the truth of the death and resurrection and glory of Christ, growing to full knowledge of the Father. In 1 John’s Epistle, the youngest—the babes—know the Father (1 John 2:1313I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (1 John 2:13); John 1:12-13;17:2-312But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12‑13)
2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:2‑3); Col. 1:1212Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (Colossians 1:12)).