the extraordinary quality of the power of God tranforms the whole person

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness (ὑπερβολὴ) of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; (2Co 4:7 NAS)

ὑπερβολὴ (surpassing greatness)

 

*excess, extraordinary quality or character 2 Cor 4:7 Gingrich

* the extraordinary (quality of the) power 2 Cor 4:7 BDAG

*… metaphorically, superiority, excellence, preeminence (R. V. exceeding greatness): with a genitive of the thing, 2 Cor. 4:7; (Thayer)

If the abstract noun ὑπερβολὴ is rendered adjectivally, several appropriate words could “qualify ‘power’: 'transcendent,' 'extraordinary,' 'overwhelming,' 'preeminent,' 'incomparable.'" (Harris 341) The context implies  an emphasis on “quality” or “character” of  δυνάμεως (power) and creates a contrast to the earthenware containers. “Such vessels were regarded as fragile and expendable because they were cheap and unattractive. So the paradox Paul is expressing is that although the container is relatively worthless, the contents are priceless.” (Harris 340).

Not only does ὑπερβολὴ connote an idea of excellence, the superior quality of the power in contrast to the frail earthen vessel, elevates the character of the power to an even greater degree.

Unlike other passages that talk about the treasure in reference to the heart, Paul’s looks at the whole person as the receptacle for the soul, in which the treasure is housed (Harris 340). A couple principles that come out of the use of ὑπερβολὴ  include:

 *When the treasure of the gospel is housed in the soul, it affects the whole person!

*The quality or character of the power of God is so incomparable, preeminent, overwhelming, extraordinary and transcendent, in contrast to the power of man, that when one stands firm in his brokenness, his testimony will present a living gospel to those around him.