2 Corinthians 4 - Where O Death Is Your Sting?

2 Corinthians 4 - NIV 

Enduring Word Commentary

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 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.

Many times when I am going through a tough time or troubling trial, it seems like I am the only one who has ever gone through this. I might be tempted to become dramatic and lose perspective on what is really happening and its severity. While at the time, this suffering is real for me, it is only when I look back am I able to put it into perspective and see it for what it was.This is not to diminish anyone's suffering, but Paul's teaching here helps us to put our light and momentary afflictions into perspective.  

David Guzik gives some really helpful commentary on what Paul says is our, "Light and momentary affliction. 

Our light affliction: Why is our affliction light and not heavy? Because even the worst of it, by the measure of eternity, is but for a moment. This is partially true in the sense that most of our troubles come and go, and “this too shall pass.” It is also true in the sense that even a long life by this world’s standard is nothing on the scale of eternity. Even if one were to live for a hundred years and suffer every day, by the measure of eternity it is but for a moment.

 Yes, our affliction is light!

· Our affliction is light compared to what others suffer.

· Our affliction is light compared to what we deserve.

· Our affliction is light compared to what Jesus suffered for us.

· Our affliction is light compared to the blessings we enjoy.

· Our affliction is light as we experience the sustaining power of God’s grace.

· Our affliction is light when we see the glory that it leads to.

Understanding this we really can say with Paul, “our light affliction.”

Paul says something similar in Romans 8 when he teaches, "I consider our present sufferings are not worthy to compared to the glory that will be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18

I often use this verse at funerals, because even in the suffering of the death of a loved one, this verse helps us to put even death into perspective. For the Christian, death is the doorway to eternal life. Death brings us into the literal presence of Jesus. For a Christian Paul says 1 in Corinthians 15:55 after a lengthy teaching on the importance of the literal resurrection of Christ and what it means for us, 

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”[This is also a quote from Hosea 13:14)

What affliction are you going through right now? How can Paul's words put it into perspective? How can standing firm in Christ during this affliction be a testimony to others of your belief in Him?

Jesus, we know there is nothing we will go through that compares to the suffering you went through on the cross? We know that your suffering for us gave us the promise of eternal life  We know that we never go through suffering alone, as you are there with us through the valley of death's dark shadows. Help us to remember that our light and momentary affliction is achieving for us an eternal glory which far outweighs them all." Amen.  

 

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