2 Corinthians 4:17

2 Corinthians 4:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
• New International Version (NIV)For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
• New King James Version (NKJV)For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

Context of 2 Corinthians 4:17

15All this is for your sake so that, as God’s kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God. 16That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. 18We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17 word by word

τὸ γὰρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν καθ᾽ ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• lightἐλαφρόςelaphros · lightG1645
• afflictionθλῖψιςthlipsis · pressureG2347
• which is but for a momentπαραυτίκαparautika · momentaryG3910
• workethκατεργάζομαιkatergazomai · to workout/produceG2716
• ·κατάkata · according toG2596
• a farὑπερβολήhuperbolē · surpassingG5236
• ·εἰςeis · towardG1519
• eternalαἰώνιοςaiōnios · eternalG166
• weightβάροςbaros · burdenG922
• of gloryδόξαdoxa · gloryG1391

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:17

• 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they Christ’s servants? It’s insane to say it, but I’m a far better one. I’ve done much more work, been in prison many more times, been beaten more severely, and have faced death more often.
• Psalms 30:5His anger lasts only a moment. His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may last for the night, but there is a song of joy in the morning.
• Isaiah 54:8I hid my face from you for a moment in a burst of anger, but I will have compassion on you with everlasting kindness,” says the Lord your defender.
• Acts 20:23However, the Holy Spirit warns me in every city that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me.
• Romans 8:18I consider our present sufferings insignificant compared to the glory that will soon be revealed to us.
• 1 Peter 1:6You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now.
• 1 Peter 4:7The end of everything is near. Therefore, practice self-control, and keep your minds clear so that you can pray.
• 1 Peter 5:10God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while.
• Psalms 119:67Before you made me suffer, I used to wander off, but now I hold on to your word.
• Matthew 5:12Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven! The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these ways.
• Romans 5:3But that’s not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance,
• Philippians 1:19for another reason. I know that I will be set free through your prayers and through the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:4That’s why we brag in God’s churches about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and suffering you are experiencing.
• Hebrews 12:10For a short time our fathers disciplined us as they thought best. Yet, God disciplines us for our own good so that we can become holy like him.
• James 1:3You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18As all of us reflect the Lord’s glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17For our light affliction, etc. - Mr. Blackwall, in his sacred classics, has well illustrated this passage. I shall here produce his paraphrase as quoted by Dr. Dodd: "This is one of the most emphatic passages in all St. Paul's writings, in which he speaks as much like an orator as he does as an apostle. The lightness of the trial is expressed by , the lightness of our affliction; as if he had said, it is even levity itself in such a comparison. On the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17For our light affliction - This verse, with the following, is designed to show further the sources of consolation and support which Paul and his fellow-laborers had in their many trials. Bloomfield remarks on this passage, that “in energy and beauty of expression, it is little inferior to any in Demosthenes himself, to whom, indeed, and to Thucydides in his orations, the style of the apostle, when it rises to the oratorical, bears no slight resemblance.”…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 The grace of faith is an effectual remedy against fainting in times of trouble. They knew that Christ was raised, and that his resurrection was an earnest and assurance of theirs. The hope of this resurrection will encourage in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death. Also, their sufferings were for the advantage of the church, and to God's glory. The sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as their preaching and conversation…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17we do not lose heart: This call to endurance comes with a reminder of what the future holds (5:1–10). The human body naturally ages and deteriorates, and Paul was especially worn down both physically and emotionally (4:8–12). But he experienced daily renewal. His spirit was refreshed and revitalized by God's power.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. which is but for a moment--"Our PRESENT light (burden of) affliction" (so the Greek; compare Mt 11:30), [Alford]. Compare "now for a season ... in heaviness" (1Pe 1:6). The contrast, however, between this and the "ETERNAL weight of glory" requires, I think, the translation, "Which is but for the present passing moment." So Wahl. "The lightness of affliction" (he does not express "burden" after "light"; the Greek is "the light of affliction") contrasts…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 4:17

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Assurance
• Faith
• Glory
• Righteous
• Suffering
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Afflictions
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Craftiness
• Despair
• Dishonesty
• Distress
• Heaven
• Light
• Temporal
• Affliction

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings