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

15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace may through the thanksgiving of many abound to the glory of God. 16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18While 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 word by word

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

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ourἡμῶνhēmōn · of usG2257
• lightἐλαφρόςelaphros · lightG1645
• afflictionθλῖψιςthlipsis · pressureG2347
• whichὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• momentπαραυτίκαparautika · momentaryG3910
• workethκατεργάζομαιkatergazomai · to workout/produceG2716
• usἡμῖνhēmin · to usG2254
• farκατάkata · according toG2596
• farὑπερβολήhuperbolē · surpassingG5236
• exceedingεἰςeis · towardG1519
• eternalαἰώνιοςaiōnios · eternalG166
• weightβάροςbaros · burdenG922
• gloryδόξαdoxa · gloryG1391

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:17

• 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often.
• Psalms 30:5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
• Isaiah 54:8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
• Acts 20:23Except that the Holy Spirit testifieth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
• Romans 8:18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
• 1 Peter 1:6In this ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through various temptations:
• 1 Peter 4:7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober minded, and watch to prayer.
• 1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you .
• Psalms 119:67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
• Matthew 5:12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• Romans 5:3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
• Philippians 1:19For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
• 2 Thessalonians 1:4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
• Hebrews 12:10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
• James 1:3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

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