Note 1 at 2 Cor. 4:1: "Therefore seeing we have this ministry," is a direct reference back to 2 Corinthians 3 in which Paul described his ministry as a ministry of the New Covenant (2 Cor. 3:6), an ministration of righteousness and Spirit (2 Cor. 3:8-9) that exceeded that of the Old Covenant in glory (2 Cor. 3:10).

In his admonition to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul said, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." This message of divine grace was imparted to the Apostle Paul by the mercy of God and it became the strength by which he ministered. It was this abundant mercy and grace that caused Paul to never lose heart and faint.