2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;… In the words there is an elegant antithesis of our future estate to our present. In our future glory there is — 1. Solidity and excellency. Glory is called a weight, because the same word, "chabod," which signifieth a weight, signifieth also glory, and weight addeth to the value of gold and precious things. All words are too weak to express heaven's happiness, and therefore he heapeth expression upon expression. 2. Eternity. This is opposed to the momentariness of our affliction. Both properties suit with God's infiniteness and eternity. In the other world God will give like Himself. See how the apostle doth — I. LESSEN THE AFFLICTIONS OF OUR PRESENT CONDITION, that we may not faint under them. 1. The evil expressed, "our affliction." God will have all tried, and the most eminent most tried (Revelation 7:14). Christ Himself was made low before He was exalted. And the members follow the head by a conformity of suffering (Acts 14:22). 2. The evil lessened. The highest comfort which philosophy could afford was, that if afflictions were great, they were short; if long, light; meaning thereby, that if their afflictions were grievous, they would shorten their lives; if of long continuance, by bearing they learned the better to bear. But here both light and short, too, in respect of our glorious reward, which being infinite, maketh them light, and being eternal, makes them short. (1) Our affliction is light, not in itself but — (a) Comparatively, in respect of the excellency and infiniteness of the heavenly glory (Romans 8:18). The trouble is nothing to the recompense, nor the cross to the crown. (b) Copulatively. Though affliction be not light in itself, yet by the strong support and comfort of the Spirit, God maketh it light and easy to us.To a strong back a burden is light which crusheth the weak and faint; a man well clad may without great annoyance bear the cold of winter, which pincheth the naked (2 Corinthians 1:5; Romans 8:37). Now there is a more liberal allowance of these comforts and supports to God's suffering servants than to those who live at ease (1 Peter 4:14). (2) It is short as well as light. If they should last for our whole lives, they are but momentary compared with eternity. (3) To make this more evident, let us consider how the afflictions of God's people are long and short. (a) Concerning their length. They seem long to those that reckon by time and not by eternity. The longest time to eternity is nothing (Psalm 90:4). They seem long because of the impatiency of the flesh. We love our own ease, and therefore affliction soon groweth irksome. An hour seemeth a day, and a day a week. Winter nights seem long in the passing. (b) For their shortness; they seem short, partly because they are not so long as they might be in regard of the enemies' rage (Zechariah 1:15).Satan and wicked men know no bounds. Partly they are not so long as we deserve. The evil of one sin cannot be expiated in a thousand years; but God "in the midst of judgment remembereth mercy" (Habakkuk 3:2). Partly they are not so long as they might be in regard of second causes and probabilities (Habakkuk 3:2). Partly because faith will not count it long; for to the eye of faith things future and afar off are as present (Hebrews 11:1). Partly because love will not count it long (Genesis 29:20). If we had any love to Christ, we would be willing to suffer a little while for His sake. But chiefly in regard of our eternal reward and blessedness; so it is a light affliction, that is but for a moment, like a rainy day to an everlasting sunshine. II. GREATER HEAVENLY THINGS. They are set forth by unwonted forms of speech, but such as you may observe an exact opposition of our happiness to our misery. 1. Affliction and glory. In our calamities we are depressed and put to shame, but whatever honour we lose in this mortal life shall be abundantly recompensed in heaven. (1) Are you pained with sickness and weariness of the flesh? In heaven we shall have everlasting ease (Hebrews 4:9). (2) Are you cast out by man? There you are received by the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17). (3) Have you lost the love of all men for your faithfulness? You shall everlastingly enjoy the love of God (Romans 8:39). (4) Are you reproached, calumniated in the world? Then your faith shall be "found to praise, glory, and honour" (1 Peter 1:7). (5) Are you cast into prison? You will shortly be in our Father's house (John 14:2)(6) Are you reduced to sordid poverty? There you read of the "riches of the glory of the inheritance of the saints in light" (Ephesians 2:18). (7) Have you lost children for Christ? They shall not come to you, but you shall-go to them. (8) Must you die, and the guest be turned out of the old house? You do but leave a shed to live in a palace (2 Corinthians 5:1). If you are forced out by the violence of man, the sword is but the key to open heaven's doors for you. 2. "A far more exceeding weight of glory" and "light affliction." Things excellent we count weighty; small, light (1 John 3:2). 3. This glory is eternal, in opposition to our momentary affliction. If we desire to prolong this life, which is obnoxious to divers calamities, how much more should that life affect us which shall be fully happy and never have end? III. SHOW HOW THE ONE IS THE FRUIT OF THE OTHER. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; |
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