Verse By Verse Devotional by Pastor Jack on 2 Corinthians #114

Light, Momentary Affliction? (4:17)

4:17 "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison."

This is one of the most ironic statements you’ll ever hear: Paul calls his troubles "momentary, light affliction." What’s so astonishing about that? Well, later in this same epistle Paul describes some of those so-called light, momentary afflictions:

"...imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death, five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes, three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep, I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure."

THAT’S light and momentary affliction? That’s exactly what Paul says, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The reason Paul can say this is that he is comparing his earthly troubles to his heavenly reward. Compared to what is coming for God’s people, all our trials are minuscule. Our "eternal weight of glory" is "far beyond all comparison."

Do your problems seem big? It’s a lie. Compared to the grace of God in Christ Jesus, compared to the glory to come, they are light and momentary. What we should be impressed by is not our troubles but God’s abundant supply for us in His Son!

O Father, if only we had eyes to see what is real! If only we could see how small our sufferings actually are! If only we could behold the immense weight of the glory that awaits us on account of Christ! Lord, give us eyes to see! Open the eyes of our hearts, that we might know the hope of Your calling, the riches of the glory of Your inheritance, and the surpassing greatness of Your power toward us who believe!