“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,” – 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NASB)
If you ever feel burdened down because of your witness and faith in God, this is a passage for you. Within a broader context, we learn from the Apostle Paul that he experienced many great and difficult circumstance as he carried about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s add two more verses (8-9) from earlier in this chapter where Paul details the tough times he had. “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” And yet he describes these as ‘momentary’ and ‘light afflictions.’ How can he say this? The Greek words for “light” mean “a weightless trifle” and “affliction” refers to intense pressure. From a human perspective, Paul’s own testimony lists a seemingly unbearable litany of sufferings and persecutions he endured throughout his life. The Greek word for “weight” refers to a heavy mass. For Paul, declares the future glory he would experience with the Lord far outweighed any suffering he experienced in this world. This is a promise from God. And a promise we can depend on to help us walk according to our calling in Christ.
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