Why does Paul call our difficulties a “momentary, light affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17)?

Answer

Life can be challenging. Disease, death, and hardships are prevalent in this earthly life. Sin has tarnished what God originally created as flawless. Although hardships are seldom pleasant when we face them, these trials are merely a temporary and light affliction. As stated in (2 Corinthians 4:17, NASB), for Christians, these difficult circumstances can lead to a far greater and eternal weight of glory. They have the potential to bear good fruit in our lives and serve as a reminder of what holds eternal significance.

Understanding the context of Paul’s words is crucial: “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NASB).

Challenges are abundant in life, whether in relationships, jobs, health, or daily routines. Christians are not immune to these challenges; in fact, they may encounter more than their fair share. In an earlier part of the same passage, Paul likened some of the difficulties he and others faced to being like “jars of clay” in this world. As mentioned in (2 Corinthians 4:7). When challenges arise, they may appear overwhelming and have the potential to debilitate us. Nevertheless, believers hold on to the hope that even the most severe suffering endured on earth is but “light and momentary troubles” when compared to the eternal glories awaiting them in heaven.

Life here on earth is fleeting, «whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. », (James 4:14), but our eternal life in glory, yet unseen, will make all the suffering worthwhile. Indeed, the challenges we face today are bringing us an eternal benefit: “They create for us a glory that far outweighs them and will last forever!” «For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; », (2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT).

The Holy Spirit residing within believers is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, and He assures us that we, too, will be raised from the dead «knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and present us with you. », (2 Corinthians 4:14). This truth enables us to maintain an eternal perspective when we face hardships.

In Romans 5:3–5, Paul reminds us that we can “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” When we rely on God through our suffering, we allow Him to mold our faith and character. Even when it may not fully make sense to us why we are enduring difficulties, believers hold onto hope that their suffering is not in vain.

Through our temporary, light affliction, we can opt to draw close to God and even flourish in the adversity, filled with the hope that our trials are shaping our character and faith. We remember that this world is not our final home.

There is something superior on the way, “surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness!” «For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; », (2 Corinthians 4:17, AMP).

When we face challenges, let us “focus our attention not on what is visible, but on what is invisible, since what is visible is temporary, but what is invisible is eternal” «while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.», (2 Corinthians 4:18). Let us opt to walk by faith and approach God, who is “our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” «God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. », (Psalm 46:1).