How Suffering Glorifies God - a Fighter Verse meditation on 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV

How can he say that?
How can he look at his bruises and say, “light weight.”
How can he count his scars and say, “temporary.”
How can he watch his own body waste away and say, “glory!”

Paul piles on contrast after contrast:
• light – weighty
• momentary – eternal
• affliction – glory
• seen – unseen
• transient – eternal

But his language is still too weak for the glory to come is ‘beyond all comparison.’ These powerful words can’t begin to describe what God is preparing.

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"— 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

The glory of God is being revealed and it makes everything else look small.
Persecutions (v.9) – light weight
Beatings (v.9) – momentary and quick to pass
Death (v.10-11) – transient like a blink of the eye

How can he say that?

so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:13b-15 ESV

So meditate and pray and memorize this verse with your heart fixed on the glory that will be revealed.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV

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