2 Corinthians 4:17 Commentary and Bible Study

‘For our light affliction.’ We can certainly say that, but it is amazing that the apostle Paul says it. His afflictions seem to us to have been very heavy, but, his point is, not in comparison with what is coming. Paul keeps things in proportion. Our affliction is light, but our future glory is heavy. Both are ours, but we have one now and the other we must wait for later. Paul has such a sense of the wonder of heaven that he is able to offset his present sufferings against that. Again, if we seldom think of heaven, or do not think deeply about it, we will lack the ability to weigh things up as the apostle does. Those difficulties at work and so on are light and temporary. ‘God has saved a worthless person like me and he has given me such a future. It is all free and it is all secure. Nothing can undo the transaction that took place when I was united with Christ by faith. If I would only look forward.’ We have to make these comparisons. ‘Worketh for us.’ What? Do what do they actually earn it for us? No. But this is the route God has determined to take us to make it all the more precious to us.