2 Corinthians 4:17 BSB

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;

KJV

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

⋯

Commentary

3 voices

Tertullian

On the Resurrection of the Flesh (220)

You may learn this, too, from the following passage, where the apostle says: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for as a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen," that is, our sufferings, "but at the things which are not seen," that is, our rewards: "for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

On the other hand, the worth and weight of the crown of glory, as they are exceedingly great in themselves, so they are esteemed to be by the believing soul--far exceeding all his expressions and thoughts; and it will be a special support in our sufferings when we can perceive them appointed as the way and preparing us for the enjoyment of the future glory.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Charles Spurgeon

1834–1892

The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 3244: “'Our Light Affliction'” (lightly modernized text, CCEL edition) (1911)

PERHAPS someone here thoughtlessly says, "Well, whoever calls affliction, 'light,' must have been a person who knew very little about what affliction really is! If he had suffered as I have done, he would not have written about 'our light affliction.' He must have been in robust health and known nothing of sickness and pain." "Just so," says another, "and if he had been as poor as I am and had to work as hard as I do to maintain a sickly wife, and a large family, he would not have written about 'our light affliction.'

Voices on this verse

loading…

Original language & word study

16 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
τὸ	to	The	G3588 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
παραυτίκα	parautika	momentary	G3910 →
ἐλαφρὸν	elaphron	lightness	G1645 →
τῆς	tēs	the	G3588 →
θλίψεως	thlipseōs	affliction	G2347 →
ἡμῶν	hēmōn	of us	G3165 →
καθ᾽	kath᾽	far	G2596 →
ὑπερβολὴν	huperbolēn	surpassing	G5236 →
εἰς	eis	to	G1519 →
ὑπερβολὴν	huperbolēn	excessiveness	G5236 →
αἰώνιον	aiōnion	an eternal	G166 →
βάρος	baros	weight	G922 →
δόξης	doxēs	of glory	G1391 →
κατεργάζεται	katergazetai	is producing	G2716 →
ἡμῖν,	hēmin	for us,	G3165 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
leads to
- 1 Peter 5:10
  And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish…
- 1 Peter 1:6–8
  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
- Revelation 2:10
  Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful…
Through
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
leads to
- 2 Corinthians 4:17–18
  For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
- 1 Peter 4:13
  But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
Through
1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish…
leads to
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3
  But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
- 1 Peter 1:6–7
  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
- Jude 1:24
  Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy—

Featured studies on this passage

On 2 Corinthians 4:17

The Unveiled Face, MannaFest

Open the study →

The Ecstasy of Saint Paul — Nicolas Poussin

Walks through 2 Corinthians 4

Power Made Perfect in Weakness — 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Open the study →

Walks through 2 Corinthians 4

The Names of Satan

Scripture rarely gives the adversary a plain name — it gives him titles, and each one is a claim about what he does.

Open the study →

Walks through 2 Corinthians 4

Light

Open the study →

About 2 Corinthians

The Crown of Thorns — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

2 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 4 →The featured study →

Suffering
Present affliction called light and momentary against an eternal weight of glory

Continue: 2 Corinthians 4 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 2 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 2 Corinthians