2 Corinthians 4:6

Commanded the light. God spoke the light into existence by a single command (see on Gen. 1:3; Ps. 33:6, 9). His first recorded words brought forth light where there had been only darkness (Gen. 1:2). Not only did God create natural light, He sent His Son to be “the light of the world” (John 8:12). All physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual light have their origin in the Father of light (James 1:17). He clothed Himself “with light as with a garment” (Ps. 104:2). By very nature God is light (James 1:17; cf. John 1:4, 5). See on John 1:4, 5, 9, 14.

Shined. Gr. lampō, “to shine.” The very One who created the sun to illuminate the primeval darkness of this world also provides the light of truth to enlighten benighted minds (Ps. 119:105). As the spoken word of God brought light to a dark world, the living Word, as set forth in the written Word, commands the light of heaven to shine into darkened souls. It is beyond the power, skill, and wisdom of man to produce such light.

The form of the verb in Greek suggests that Paul may refer to a particular experience in the past—his own conversion. Paul then beheld Christ in His glorified form, and light from the face of Christ shone upon him. Later, the scales fell from his eyes and from his mind (Acts 9:3–18). For the first time Christ appeared to him as He truly was, Saviour and Lord, and he became a transformed man. The darkness of his own soul and mind was dispelled (Acts 9:17, 18; 26:16–18).

To give the light. According to the Greek construction of this passage, the purpose of God’s shining into men’s hearts is to give light, the purpose of the light is to acquaint them with the knowledge of the divine glory, and the purpose of the knowledge of the divine glory is to save them.

In the face. The same glory that had been reflected on the face of Moses had more recently been seen on the face of Christ (see on Matt. 17:2; Luke 2:48; John 1:14; 2 Peter 1:17, 18). Christ is the complete revelation of His Father’s glory, the incarnation of every divine excellence. All other revelations have either been partial or imperfect. In the face of Jesus Christ men may see the whole, pure, perfect light of God.

Paul acknowledged God’s glory in creation and in the law, but now he perceived the perfect exhibition of divine glory in the face and person of Jesus Christ. This is what won his heart and lifelong devotion. It is only in and through Jesus Christ that man becomes a partaker of the divine nature, and thus of the divine glory.