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2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – Weight of Glory

We do experience a variety of afflictions, and Paul teaches that God uses those afflictions to work a weight of glory in us. The first opposites that Paul brings together are an outward man and an inward man. Paul says that our outward man is perishing but the inward man is being renewed. We don’t lose heart because we know that afflictions will end. It’s only for a period of time that we’ll face the adversities of this life. They will end, and we will then be united with Christ in an eternity where those trials will never affect us again. Paul goes on and says that we don’t lose heart because God works in us a weight of glory through these afflictions. Paul is not unfamiliar with the things that we struggle with – both the trials of temptation and of falling into sin, as well as the trials of this life. The Christian faith doesn’t minimize the trials of this life. We can say this is real and this tragedy is one that weighs down my soul, instead, of explaining it away, treating it as nothing, or just trying to stoically bear through it. But God shows a purpose in that affliction. Though the outward man perishes, the inward man is renewed day by day. Paul describes the dependence that we have as a daily dependence, a day-by-day renewal of strength so that we can face the trials of that day.

The second set of opposites Paul uses are light and heavy. These are verses that are almost hard to read because he calls our afflictions light and momentary. But Paul wants us to understand that God is at work doing something glorious through that trial. It comes down to perspective and values. God has an eternal perspective. And God is using these afflictions to work something better in us. Our values may be that we’re wanting health, or prosperity, or a life without complications. We may be praying in a way that illustrates those values. And God’s perspective and His values are different. His perspective and His value is to have the glorious reality of eternity to sink down upon us and consume us. Those afflictions are working that purpose, they are purifying our faith, and preparing us for eternity.

Question

  1. What is the weight of glory?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that we would have an eternal perspective.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.