In 2 Corinthians 4:17, the apostle Paul refers to the struggles and trials of this life as a “momentary, light affliction.” This verse comes in the context of Paul discussing the glory that awaits believers in heaven. Even though Christians face difficulties in this life, Paul wants to remind them that these troubles are temporary and insignificant compared to the eternal glory that God has prepared for them.
Paul describes our afflictions in this life as “momentary” and “light.” The struggles we face now are only for a short time compared to eternity. No matter how difficult they may seem in the present, in light of eternity they are fleeting. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Paul also calls these afflictions “light.” This does not mean that they are not painful or challenging. However, compared to the weight of glory awaiting us, they are relatively light. As Paul says earlier in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” The afflictions of this life are accomplishing an eternal purpose as God uses them to refine our faith and shape us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
So why does Paul refer to the difficulties of this life in this way? Here are a few key reasons:
Our troubles are temporary
Paul emphasizes the temporary nature of our struggles because he has an eternal perspective (2 Corinthians 4:18). Our afflictions may feel endless in the moment, but in light of eternity they are fleeting. Even if we suffer our entire lives, our lives are like a vapor compared to endless ages in God’s presence (Psalm 90:10; James 4:14). Paul wants to remind us that no matter how difficult our situation is, it is not the end. God promises us a future hope and eternal inheritance that far outweighs our momentary troubles (Titus 3:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
Our troubles are light compared to coming glory
Not only are our afflictions temporary, but they are minor in comparison with the surpassing glory that awaits us. Paul says these troubles are “preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). No matter what we endure here, it cannot stand in comparison with the joy, riches, and blessings stored up for us in heaven with Christ for all eternity (Romans 8:18). That is why Paul can call them a “light” affliction.
Our troubles are accomplishing a greater purpose
Paul also recognizes that our troubles have a purpose—they are working in us to produce endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). As 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, they are “preparing for us” an eternal glory. Afflictions refine our faith, help us grow in godly character, detach us from worldly things, and cause us to look forward to the hope of eternity with Christ. Difficulties teach us to rely on God rather than ourselves. So Paul understood that these light, momentary troubles were accomplishing an eternal weight of glory in the lives of believers.
Our troubles cannot compare with the glory of Christ
Paul has experienced suffering for Christ firsthand, yet he considers everything a loss compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). Even the worst affliction on earth is not worthy to be compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ. Paul’s perspective is shaped by experiencing the risen and glorified Christ himself (Acts 9:3-6). No pain or hardship can outweigh the infinite worth of knowing the Son of God. Any affliction we suffer is momentary and light compared to the eternal joy and glory of life in Christ.
Our troubles will end in eternal glory
For the believer, afflictions do not have the last word. Paul fixes his hope on the glory yet to come when our perishable bodies will be raised as imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:42-43). The sufferings of this life cannot defeat us or separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39). The day is coming when God will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5). The afflictions of this age are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). So Paul can call them light and momentary.
Paul wants to encourage perseverance
Paul does not minimize the reality of Christian suffering. But by referring to our troubles in this life as light and momentary, Paul wants to encourage Christians to persevere through afflictions. In his own life, Paul was able to endure by keeping his eyes on the eternal perspective (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). By focusing on the unseen realities of heaven and Christ’s presence there, Paul did not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16). Paul knows how easy it is to grow discouraged when facing trials, so he wants to motivate believers to endure by reminding them of their glorious future hope.
Paul speaks from personal experience
These words were not theoretical platitudes for Paul. In the same letter to the Corinthians, Paul catalogs the extensive sufferings he has endured for the gospel—beatings, imprisonment, danger, hunger, thirst, and more (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Paul does not call these “light” troubles because he has escaped suffering or is diminishing its reality. He has endured severe hardships firsthand. Yet with an eternal perspective, he can call them light compared to the glory that outweighs them. Paul knows trials are painful but temporary.
As the apostle who suffered deeply and joyfully for the gospel, Paul spoke about the purpose of affliction from personal experience. He does not ask of others what he has not endured himself. This lends credibility when Paul calls our troubles light and momentary in 2 Corinthians 4:17.
Paul is giving God’s perspective, not man’s
If Paul were looking at afflictions only through human eyes, he likely would not refer to them as light and momentary. But he views them from God’s eternal perspective. Paul understands there are purposes of suffering that we cannot comprehend from our limited viewpoint (1 Corinthians 13:12). But God who sees the end from the beginning is working out His glorious plan even through our troubles. Paul sets aside the world’s viewpoint in order to give God’s higher perspective on our afflictions.
So when Paul calls the trials of this life light and momentary, he is communicating God’s viewpoint rather than man’s. He does not say our troubles are meaningless or unimportant. But compared to the eternal weight of glory to come, they truly are light afflictions.
Paul knows the Old Testament pattern of affliction leading to glory
Those steeped in the Old Testament would understand the pattern of suffering preceding glory. The path to exaltation led through the valley. God took Joseph through slavery and prison before raising Him to the right hand of Pharaoh (Genesis 37-50). Israel endured 400 years of Egyptian affliction before God delivered them into the Promised Land (Exodus 3:7-10). David was on the run as a fugitive before he was crowned king. Paul was likely meditating on passages like Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” He knew affliction was often God’s prelude to glorification.
This pattern in the Old Testament gives credibility to Paul’s statement. Those who suffer according to God’s will often experience glory on the other side. The path of the righteous is not always easy, but God has good plans to give us a future and a hope through our moments of affliction (Jeremiah 29:11).
Paul is giving the gospel perspective on suffering
The gospel puts suffering into an eternal perspective. For those who trust in Christ, affliction leads to glory. Even Jesus Himself endured the cross before receiving the joy of sitting down at God’s right hand (Hebrews 12:2). There is hope beyond suffering for those in Christ. So when Paul calls affliction light and momentary, he is applying the gospel’s hopeful perspective. What may seem crushing in the moment is working toward eternal “what no eye has seen” rewards with Christ (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Conclusion
Paul can call the trials of this life momentary and light because he views them from an eternal perspective. Compared to the surpassing weight of glory to come and the infinite joy of knowing Christ, our afflictions are temporary and light. God uses them for an eternal purpose. No matter how difficult they may seem now, they are accomplishing something far greater. Paul gives God’s perspective to encourage believers to persevere through affliction and fix their hope on eternal rewards. By viewing our troubles through the lens of God’s eternal plan, we too can see them as light and momentary.