Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
If today’s verses from the mouth of the Apostle Paul don’t bring both comfort and hope to believers, whether having your best days or your worst, – nothing will!
While I’m writing to my incarcerated brothers and sisters in Christ, these glorious words spoken from the greatest missionary who ever lived should cause us all to listen, and rejoice, – NO MATTER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES THIS VERY DAY. Dear friends in Christ, in bonds or free, the grace of God’s Word applies equally to us all. On this January of the new year, I have more friends that I’d like to say who are not only enduring life behind bars, but are doing so with every manner of Cancer, sickness and other life challenging diseases. A good many of these men and women have long ago been either abandoned or forgotten by family.
And some of these are men and women of strong faith who are on death row or doing life without parole. In my daily prayers, usually late at night, I pull out several sheets and pray for all these men and women of faith who have found themselves in an unimaginable place for you and me. Several decades ago, as I began this work, I understood that it wasn’t my job to dwell on or even be concerned about the nature of their crime, no matter how heinous.
I have a dear friend at Corcoran State Prison that I’ve been ministering to for several years. He calls once a week and we exchange letters regularly. Even though Jim has made me familiar with his case,I make it a practice not to go out of my way to find out the details of their offense. I’m normal, I’m human, so yes, sometimes I’m a little startled when they speak up and want to talk with me about the nature of their crime. I’m only interested in where they are today. None of us gets a do-over in life; we can’t change what we did 20 minutes ago, or 20 years ago. We reap what we have sown, and sadly suffer the consequences.
We all know what the church in Corinth was in a real mess. You can read Paul’s powerful words in l Corinthians 6:8, where the apostle lists a number of awful sins, to which he says, “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Praise God that the story does not end there. In verse 11, we see the result of God’s unfathomable grace. Look carefully at his words. "And such WERE some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
As I’ve shared so many times to my friends, you cannot find a sin that God’s grace cannot and will not cover. Oh the wonder and glory of knowing that God doesn’t have a great scale in Heaven, where he looks at us with foreboding eyes as he puts up all of our sin to be weighed. David declared that if he did that very thing, — “O Lord, who could stand, but there is forgiveness in you.”
So while there is certainly a shock to the senses when you hear about what someone did in their “before Christ” days, – I’ve learned not to be surprised at the inhumanity of man toward other people. Jim, my buddy at Corcoran, always feels the need to bring up his offense of more than 30 years ago, as his remorse, and regret are overwhelmingly apparent.
Looking back on that fateful night, Jim couldn’t tell you how it could have happened, but after a counseling session with his pastor over a failing marriage, somehow he got into a twisted, dysfunctional state of mind, came home, and killed his six year old daughter and eight year old son.
I know this is a tough one, and long ago, even though I share practically everything with my wife Cynthia, I’ve learned to draw the line and leave out the specifics of heinous crimes involving children. It wouldn’t serve any purpose and I respect her convictions. Jim will often find a way to bring up one of his children, and he always mentions them by name. Birthday, or death day, he speaks about his deep love for them. Jim is doing life w/o the possibility of parole.
And I’m fully aware that many will draw the line and judge him for such a dreadful offense. The reality is that it happened years ago, and since then Jim came to faith in Christ and did the only thing he could. He bent the knee to Almighty God, in humble repentance, asking our Savior to captivate his life and grant him new life in Christ. We all fully understand that the world, the authorities will never forgive him for his crime, but our Lord tells us that He chooses to bury Jim’s sin in the depths of the deepest sea, never to be remembered again. The state says we will lock you up till you die.
His slate has been wiped clean, just like yours and mind by the blood of our Savior. The Lord has Jim inscribed on his hand, and when He looks at his hand, he doesn’t see Jim’s crime, but the face of His son, Christ Jesus, who was ransomed for Jim, for you and for me. I know it’s hard for some of you to hear about someone like Jim, but perhaps a few of you may want to remember his name before the throne of grace as you pray.
There are many things that make us weary on this earth. As a result of sin, we experience trials and hardships that make life difficult. At the same time, Christians have assurance that our difficulties are merely “momentary, light affliction” in light of eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17, NASB). The hope of the believer allows him to persevere and not lose heart even when life is difficult.
Christians face hardships just like everyone else. We can become discouraged and wounded when we experience difficulties. Yet believers have hope that surpasses the temporary hurt and pain we endure. When difficulties come, believers do not need to despair. Our hope in God anchors our souls as we experience life’s ups and downs (Hebrews 6:19). Believers do not lose heart because the resurrection and the “eternal glory” we anticipate far outweigh anything we experience in our afflictions (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, we are forgiven of our sin and reconciled to God. We have assurance that sin and death are defeated. One day we, too, will be resurrected and spend eternity with God, without sin and death. Although in this life “we are hard pressed on every side,” we are not crushed. Although we are “perplexed,” we are not in despair. We may be “persecuted,” but we are not abandoned.
We are “struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). Yes, we experience life’s difficulties, but we are also filled with hope through these difficulties. The salvation of our souls and the hope of eternal life with God allows us to press on and to not lose heart despite life’s circumstances.
Paul was imprisoned, beaten, and whipped for sharing the good news of the gospel. He was shipwrecked and experienced danger at sea and from bandits, fellow Jews, Gentiles, and false believers. He was at times hungry, thirsty, cold, and deprived (2 Corinthians 11:24–27). Yet Paul determined not to lose heart.
He would not allow his difficulties to leave him in despair. With hope in Christ, Paul was able to proclaim, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Paul continued to preach the gospel with fervency despite all the difficulties and suffering he faced.
Jesus told us that a life of following Him would be hard, but He also comforted us with hope: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Believers do not lose heart because their hope in Christ is greater than any difficulty they will face on this earth.
Struck Down But Not Destroyed
In 2 Corinthians 4:7–18, the apostle Paul explains that the endurance he exhibits in his ministry points to God’s strength and not his own. Even though he has encountered numerous difficulties physically, mentally, and spiritually, he is able to press on because of God’s incredible power (2 Corinthians 4:7). This is vividly illustrated by a series of contrasts in verses 8 and 9. One of the stark illustrations provided is of someone getting knocked down. Paul writes, “We are . . . struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9).
The words struck down and destroyed mean exactly that in the original language. The word for “struck down” portrays something getting hit, abused, abandoned, or even killed. The word for “destroyed” simply means “perished or ruined.” Paul acknowledges he has been struck down by hardship before, but quickly clarifies that he has never been destroyed, standing up again through the power of God (2 Corinthians 4:7; cf. Psalm 54:4).
The picture is like that of a boxer who is knocked over by a huge blow but manages to rise again. I think of Sly Stallone in the Rocky movies. In ministry, Paul has been knocked down but not knocked out. He has been wounded by his enemies, but no one can deal him a lethal blow because God is his strength (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).
What does that look like in Paul’s life? One obvious example is the persecution Paul faced on his missionary journeys. People often did not welcome the gospel of Christ and abused Paul for preaching it. However, they were unable to stop him because of God’s continued protection and empowerment.
A good example is what happened in Lystra on Paul’s first missionary journey when the townspeople stoned Paul and left him for dead (Acts 14:19). After the stoning, the indomitable apostle got back to his feet and kept ministering, proclaiming the gospel (Acts 14:20). Paul was certainly “struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9).
What does this mean for us? Like Paul, there are things in life that threaten to strike us down. Because of our faith, we can be persecuted, alienated, or ridiculed. In moments of extreme hardship, it is critical to refocus our attention on God and remember that He alone is our source of strength. It is only by God’s power, and not our own, that we can be “struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9). The world may wound us, but it cannot destroy us because our future is certain with Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:13–14).
Oh Yeah, Not To Forget, We Have A Future Eternal Weight of Glory
In 2 Corinthians 4:17, the apostle Paul presents a beautiful and emphatic contrast between present afflictions and future glory: “For this light momentary af liction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (ESV).(Also one of my life verses) Before analyzing the meaning of “eternal weight of glory,” it is essential to understand the broader context of the epistle.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul addresses the challenges faced by the Corinthians and defends his apostolic ministry against accusations and opposition. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul emphasizes the grace and mercy of God, which sustained Paul and his fellow-laborers during times of toil, weariness, scorn, danger, and constant exposure to death (see 2 Corinthians 4:7–10; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23–27). Their suffering was not in vain: “So death is at work in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:12).
Despite these hardships, which continued for the duration of his life, Paul characterizes his trials and tribulations as “light” and “momentary.” The word light denotes something that is easy to bear or of little weight (cf. Matthew 11:30 and 2 Corinthians 1:17). Paul’s use of this term conveys the relative insignificance of present afflictions when compared with the eternal weight of glory that every believer awaits.
Furthermore, the term momentary emphasizes the brevity and fleeting nature of present afflictions (cf. James 4:14). Paul contrasts the temporary nature of suffering with the eternal nature of the glory that awaits believers (see Romans 8:29–30). These verses have sustained many men in prison who had their last breath behind bars and many others who cling to the hope of the afterlife in Christ. Even if we were to suffer for the rest of our lives, our afflictions are still momentary because this life will come to an end (2 Corinthians 4:16). And when it does, we will be glorified with Christ (Romans 8:17).
Next, Paul contrasts the light and momentary affliction with an “eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” The word weight signifies the substantiality, significance, and overwhelming nature of the future glory that believers will experience (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9, 13:12; 1 John 3:2). Hence, it conveys a sense of immeasurable value and magnitude.
This “eternal weight of glory” stands in stark contrast to the fleeting and transitory nature of present afflictions. The word eternal signifies the everlasting and unending nature of the glory that believers will inherit. It also highlights the incomparable duration and permanence of our future glory.
In Romans 8:18, Paul expresses a similar idea, declaring that the “sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (ESV). This passage reinforces the idea that present afflictions, though seemingly significant, pale in comparison to the future glory that believers will partake in. Scripture tells us many times how our earthly life is but a vapor, a shadow, a fading flower and will soon come to an end. Every child of God takes comfort, with the assurance that the best is yet to come.
In 1 Peter 1:6–7, the apostle notes that suffering has a redemptive purpose: Peter’s words have been most comforting to countless prisoners who triumph with the assurance given by Peter. “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (ESV). This passage aligns with the theme of present afflictions preparing believers for an eternal weight of glory, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:17.
Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:17 that everyday we must look through the biblical lens of our present afflictions, though at times severe, are still light and momentary when contrasted with the immeasurable weight of glory that awaits believers. This provides immense comfort to those enduring trials, assuring them their suffering is purposeful and temporary, while their future glory is eternal and incomparable. May these passages inspire and strengthen our faith as we endure various trials, always mindful of the surpassing glory that awaits us in Jesus Christ.
Final Thought
I close with some inspirational words from the beloved Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers” toward the end of his life in 1890. During those last days, the strength to go on preaching in the midst of adversity and setbacks came for Spurgeon from the assured sovereign triumph of Christ.
One of his last messages was in addressing a pastor’s conference. In his sermon, Spurgeon compared adversity and the ebb of truth to the ebbing tide. Here’s what he said..
“You never met an old salt, down by the sea, who was in trouble because the tide had been ebbing out for hours. No! He waits confidently for the turn of the tide, and it comes in due time. Yonder rock has been uncovered during the last half-hour, and if the sea continues to ebb out for weeks, there will be no water in the English Channel, and the French will walk over from Cherbourg.
Nobody talks in that childish way, for such an ebb will never come. Nor will we speak as though the gospel would be routed, and eternal truth driven out of the land. We serve an almighty Master ... If our Lord does but stamp His foot, He can win for Himself all the nations of the earth against heathenism, and Mohammedanism, and Agnosticism, every other modern thought, and every other foul error.
Who is he that can harm us if we follow Jesus? How can His cause be defeated? At His will, converts will flock to His truth as numerous as the sands of the sea ... Wherefore be of good courage, and go on your way singing [and preaching]!”
The winds of hell have blown, – The world its hate hath shown, – Yet it is not o’erthrown, – Hallelujah for the Cross!
It shall never suffer loss!
The Lord of hosts is with us,
the God of Jacob is our refuge
From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith & Life Journal: By Gregg Harris
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