2 Corinthians 4:17; Our Light Affliction

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Will you consider the trials that God allows you to go through in this earthly life as a bearable yoke? This is how the Apostle Paul looks at afflictions that come in his life. The word “light” means “easy to bear” to describe his earthly sufferings. He articulated these tribulations in his life in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30 Are 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 oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

I believe the Lord Jesus was with him all through his journey since the joyous day of salvation when he met Him on the road to Damascus. We read in the Acts of the Apostles the many times when our Lord Jesus encouraged him to press on as the Apostle Paul re-committed himself to the Lord as He has promised in Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

He compares the tribulations encountered in the ministry as afflictions that is not only “light” and but for a short duration. The phrase “for a moment” is the word “immediate”. To him, the life lived with Christ brings with it a future reward so weighty that all his afflictions pale to the glorious future that he awaits to enjoy. So he describes his inner man as being renewed day by day with increased strength as he looks forward to receiving his eternal inheritance from the Lord. Indeed, he is not a fool to bear the yoke of the ministry without contemplating the value of the reward to come. Are you motivated for service looking forward to the heavenly reward awaiting us? We will not be disappointed. May His people press on. Amen.