We know the Bible is true in everything it says, but sometimes it is hard to understand just how a passage applies. That is true of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” How can Paul call what we are currently going through ‘light’? How can they result in an eternal glory that is far greater than the pain they now cause? That would be great if it were true, and since God says that it must be true, but just how does it work?
Let’s start by looking at the context of the verse. The church at Corinth was established during the apostle Paul’s second missionary journey, around AD 50-52. Corinth was a city located in ancient Greece and the world knew it as a place of wealth, commerce, and immorality. If you were a Corinthian, you would have a reputation for immorality and decadence.
Paul worked in Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla as a tentmaker and preached to the Jews in the synagogue (Acts 18). When most of the Jews rejected Jesus, he then took his message to the Gentiles. The result was the salvation of both Gentiles and Jews. As Paul’s time in Corinth continued, opposition to his message began to grow and charges were filed against him, so Paul left and went to Ephesus but continued to stay in contact with the new church in Corinth through letters.
The Christians in Corinth were influenced by the sinful and immoral culture around them. They tolerated sexual immorality in some of the members. Paul warned them against this and said the offenders should be disciplined (1 Corinthians 5:6). There were others in the church who were causing disunity and conflict among the people. In addition, there were false teachings that were spreading. Add to that the persecution they were receiving from the pagan culture around them and we can appreciate how difficult it must have been for those trying to faithfully serve Jesus.
Because of all this he encourages them: “Therefore, we do not lose heart.” He is reminding them of the importance of persevering no matter what. In the rest of the verse, he reminds them that spiritual growth is a gradual, daily process.
Next he says something that must have seemed strange to them “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” He says their trials are light and temporary. When we are going through such things they seem very heavy and unending but we must keep them in an eternal perspective. In contrast to all eternity in heaven with Jesus, they are minimal and short. God is greater than our troubles and as long as we have Him helping us He will carry the greater weight and so they will be light for us even though they may seem very heavy at the moment. And earthly difficulties are temporary, especially compared to all eternity. Paul concludes by encouraging the Christians there to keep their eyes on Jesus not on their circumstances. Paul said something very similar to the church at Rome. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
Today we live in a world that is focused on the here and now. We are all about what is happening to us right now. Thoughts of eternity are few and far between. Often our top priority is how we feel now and what we can do to fix any difficulties that come into our lives. If something is too hard to face, we often just quit. Be it a job, a marriage or friendship, a ministry or something we struggle with, we frequently drop it and move on instead of facing it and working through it. Paul is telling the faithful believers in Corinth to persevere no matter what problems are happening inside the church or difficulties in their life outside.
The truth is that the things in this world are temporary. The trials of this world are passing. But the trials are what bring us closer to God and strengthen our faith. Trials help us learn the nature of God as the One who will carry those trials with you, making them light and momentary. That’s why God allows them to come and sometimes allows them to stay. And trials give us an opportunity to glorify God by trusting in Him no matter what.
Only eternal things have a lasting significance. Becoming more like Jesus is something that will last forever. Building a closer relationship with God is an eternal investment. We aren’t very interested in our own spiritual growth and character development, especially if pain is involved. But God is very interested in making us like Jesus. That is his main goal for our life on earth. He uses all these things that we go through to make us more like Jesus. Romans 8:28 promises: “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called to His purpose.” That brings glory to us and to God.
James 1:2-4 tells us to “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” Everyone is either going through a difficult time or waiting for the next one to come. Whichever it is keep your eyes on Jesus. Considered the joy beyond the situation with confident assurance that it comes from God and He will use it for His glory and your good. It truly is achieving an eternal glory that will far outweigh the pain it brings you in this life.
Genesis 50:20 “You intended it for harm, but God intended it for good.”
Are you currently going through a trial? What can you learn from this to help you orient yourself to it?
If you are not going through anything now, think of the last major difficulty you faced. What was God trying to teach you? Have you remembered the lessons and applied them to your life, or do you need a refresher course?
HEALED OF HEADACHE PAIN Have you ever had a very bad headache that wouldn’t stop? How long did it last? Pastor Moses sent me this story about a woman with a migraine for 3 years. Bujji, a tribal woman, has been healed from headaches (see pictures below). She has been suffering terrible pain for 3 years. Doctors could not cure here. Then she heard the word of God and started praying for her healing in a church. After three days, God touched her and healed from headache pain. She was happy and thankful to God. She is accepted Jesus and her husband also. She called all her relatives and friends and held a prayer meeting at her house. She fed them rice and chicken curry which her husband cooked. It was a very joyful time. They live in one of the slums. Pastor Moses and his wife went and shared the word and prayed for her. They ask for prayers for her and for the whole tribal people in the slums.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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