2 Corinthians 4:17
What does 2 Corinthians 4:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 4:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 4:17 means
Paul weighs present suffering against future glory and finds no comparison. Affliction is “light” and lasts “for the moment,” not to minimize pain, but to set it beside an “eternal weight of glory” that far exceeds it. Remarkably, the affliction itself, under God’s hand, “works for us” this outcome—it becomes a servant to our future glory. The heavy, lasting splendor to come reshapes how believers endure: trials are real but not ultimate, brief compared to eternity, and instrumental rather than pointless. This valuation springs from resurrection hope and daily renewal, enabling perseverance without denial of the cost.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
KJV
King James Version · 1611For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For our present trouble, which is only for a short time, is working out for us a much greater weight of glory;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the momentary light matter of our tribulation, more and more exceedingly an age-during weight of glory doth work out for us--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation worketh for us above measure, exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For our momentary [and] light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory;
Context
Following the affirmation of inner renewal (verse 16), Paul provides the rationale: present troubles are transient and productive, while future glory is weighty and endless. This prepares for verse 18’s call to fix attention on the unseen, eternal realities rather than the seen, temporary ones. The flow reaches its peak here: from mercy-given ministry through suffering to a horizon of incomparable glory, explaining why Paul does not lose heart.
v.16Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
v.17This passage
v.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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 30:5
For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.
- Romans 8:34
who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
- Romans 2:7
to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
- Jude 1:24
Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy,
- 1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.
- 1 Peter 1:6
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,
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