"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh in us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 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 4:17-18
Part 2
Yesterday: Our Temporary Light Suffering
“For our light affliction.”
“Which is but for a moment.”
Considering what our Savior suffered for us, what we suffer for Him hardly compares.
Today: Affliction and Glory
What can our “light afflictions” do in us?
“Worketh for us.”
Our “momentary light afflictions” are designed for us specifically by our loving Father. These are not accidental but intentional; they are not mistakes but divine appointments. What did Paul mean when he wrote that “affliction worketh for us?”
This phrase in the original text means, “Literally, worketh out, bringeth to perfection.”[1] The word translated “worketh” means work that “brings about” [2] a “result.” God gives us afflictions to produce an expected result in us, godliness. These things can produce in us a much greater ability to glorify God through our lives. Think about these benefits that afflictions can work in us:
My affliction can keep me from sin and help me learn about my God.
“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psalm 119:67).
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71).
My afflictions can produce in me much-needed patience, experience, and hope!
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3-5).
My afflictions can mature me.
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:3-4).
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).
We, believers, need to understand that just having a problem does not necessarily produce godly benefits in us.
“It is not affliction itself, but affliction rightly borne, that does us good”[3] (James H. Aughey).
It is maintaining the right attitude about and the correct handling of our afflictions that deliver godly results. Getting bent out of shape and otherwise not handling problems well invalidates the “good result.” This means I need to go through the same type of trial again to have another opportunity to do it right. Mishandled afflictions mean that I did not learn about God’s goodness and grace through it. Even though I might, God never wastes an opportunity on us.
Afflictions are meant to produce in us,
“A far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
“A far more exceeding.”
Our afflictions are meant to bring glory, but so much more than we could ever imagine.
“…and the expression means that it is ‘exceeding exceedingly’ glorious; glorious in the highest possible degree”[4] (Robinson).
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, see Isaiah 64:4).
“Afflictions add to the saints’ glory. The more the diamond is cut, the more it sparkles; the heavier the saints’ cross is, the heavier will be their crown”[5] (Thomas Watson).
“And eternal weight of glory.”
Can you see the contrast here? “Eternal blessings” are linked to our afflictions that are only fleeting. It is the eternal weight of glory set against our brief sufferings.
“The one is momentary, transient; so short, even in the longest life, that it may be said to be an instant; the other has no limits to its duration. It is literally everlasting”[6] (Barnes).
And our Lord is here to help us through the one and on to the other.
“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24).
Salvation and afflictions:
We need to add a thought here that hopefully will prevent any confusion about what our afflictions in this life can do for us. Our salvation can never be purchased by the miseries which we suffer. That idea takes a person down the impossible path of “salvation by works.” Jesus Christ, the sinless sacrifice, is the only One who could possibly pay for our salvation. And He did.
“Affliction is not something to be endured in order to reach glory. It is the very process which creates the glory. Through travail comes birth”[7] (G.C. Morgan).
Believers, let me encourage you to look up these verses. They will give Jesus’ perspective on our times of mistreatment here on earth (James 1:12; Luke 6:22-23; Matthew 5:12). Tomorrow we will look at the “visible” and the “invisible.” See you soon.
Quote: “Affliction brings out graces that cannot be seen in a time of health. It is the treading of the grapes that brings out the sweet juices of the vine, so it is affliction that draws forth submission, weanedness from the world, and complete rest in God. Use afflictions while you have them”[8] (Robert Murray McCheyne).
[1] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword. The emphasis is theirs. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
[2] J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword. The emphasis is mine.
[3] Aughey’s quote Downloaded: Saturday, March 20, 2021. From:https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-affliction/.
Aughey (1828-1911) was a preacher during the War Between the States. He was captured and imprisoned by the South. “Because of the ‘crime’ of loyalty to the Union, he was subjected to an almost fatal imprisonment; he was put in irons, abused and insulted, and destined for execution on the gallows. He twice made his escape, and the second time, through almost incredible exposures and perils, succeeded in reaching the lines of the Union army.” He certainly understood “affliction.” This quote about his bio was Downloaded: Saturday, March 20, 2021. From: http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/James-H.-Aughey-Quotes/.
[4] As quoted in Barnes. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
[5] Watson’s quote Downloaded: Saturday, March 20, 2021. From: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-affliction/.
[6] Barnes, ibid.
[7] Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
[8] McCheyne’s quote Downloaded: Saturday, March 20, 2021. From: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-affliction/.