V.3-4 The gospel was not hidden because it was not preached, but because people would not accept it.
V.7 The Spirit of God is within the believer (the treasure), but we are still with our earthly body (earthen vessels).
V.10 Paul wanted to be nothing, so that Christ might be seen in his life.
V.11 If we are not willing to be nothing, the Lord knows how to break us down. For there is nothing so important in our life as showing forth our Lord Jesus in a dark world.
V.17 Paul calls all his suffering for the Lord (2 Cor. 11:23-2723Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (2 Corinthians 11:23‑27)) “light affliction!” He looks ahead to the “weight of glory.” We may suffer for our Lord along the way, but there is an eternity of glory ahead.
V.18 Everything that is seen is “temporal.” It will soon be gone. But our spiritual blessings in Christ are “not seen,” for they are heavenly and eternal.