What Are Earthen Vessels?

​2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Paul made the declaration that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels…”.  Obviously, Paul is not referring to physical containers like clay pots, but rather to the physical, human bodies of the Apostles. The gospel needed a transport system to allow the spread of Christianity. Therefore, the Lord sent the gospel through His servants the Apostles, which were His earthen vessels.  In essence, there were 12 inspired translations of the Gospel which were being preached by these “vessels”.  This phrase “earthen vessels” only applies to the Inspired Apostles.  Even though we are not inspired like the Apostles, we are also expected to carry forth the Gospel.
In the same manner as the early disciples, we are expected to go about preaching the word (Acts 8:4).  It is necessary to present the Word of God to as many as possible because that is how faith comes (Rom 10:17).  We are instructed to go and preach (Mark 16:15) in order that we may enlarge the kingdom of God.  The world is full of those who are afflicted with the problem of sin (Rom 3:23), and without our carrying of the Gospel to them, they will suffer the consequence of an eternal separation from God (Rom 6:23).  I mentioned earlier that this phrase “earthen vessels” does not apply to us today.  Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”.  The “we” Paul is speaking of is the Apostles.  He then states that the “excellency of the power” or this “inspiration” which they possess is of God and not of them.  Neither Paul nor the Apostles could Glory because they had the inspired message in them.  The message did not originate with them, they were simply the “vessels” which were presenting the inspired message from God given through the Holy Spirit.
The task of “revealing” this inspired message was found in the twelve “earthen vessels” or the Apostles.  Now that this message has been revealed, we are given the responsibility to promote it and grow God’s kingdom!