King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 4:17 Mean?

2 Corinthians 4:17 in the King James Version says “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

2 Corinthians 4:17 · KJV

Eternal Life

Context

15

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

16

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17

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

18

While 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.

Read 2 Corinthians 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment (to gar parautika elaphron tēs thlipseōs hēmōn, τὸ γὰρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν)—after cataloging imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and stonings (11:23-28), Paul calls it elaphron (ἐλαφρόν, 'light, easy, insignificant')! Parautika (παραυτίκα, 'momentary, transient') describes 70+ years of hardship. Only from eternity's perspective is a lifetime 'momentary'; only compared to glory is catastrophe 'light.'

Worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (kath' hyperbolēn eis hyperbolēn aiōnion baros doxēs katergazetai hēmin, καθ' ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν)—kath' hyperbolēn eis hyperbolēn (καθ' ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν, 'beyond all measure, to an extraordinary degree, surpassing excellence') is superlative heaped on superlative. Baros (βάρος, 'weight, burden') contrasts with 'light'—affliction is featherweight, glory is massive. Katergazomai (κατεργάζομαι, 'to work out, produce, accomplish') shows suffering actively producing glory, not just preceding it. Affliction isn't merely endured; it's the divinely appointed means of glory's production.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish apocalyptic literature spoke of 'the weight of glory' awaiting the righteous after suffering (4 Ezra, 2 Barabbas). Paul intensifies this: glory's weight infinitely exceeds suffering's lightness, glory's eternity dwarfs suffering's momentariness, and suffering itself produces glory. This theodicy makes sense only from resurrection perspective, which Paul thoroughly embraced.

Reflection Questions

  1. What helps you genuinely regard your present sufferings as 'light and momentary' without minimizing their real pain?
  2. How does Paul's 'working for us' language challenge the view that suffering is purposeless or meaningless?
  3. In what ways have past afflictions 'worked' an eternal weight of glory in your character or faith that you can now recognize?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
τῆς1 of 16

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γὰρ2 of 16

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

παραυτίκα3 of 16

“is but for a moment”

G3910

at the very instant, i.e., momentary

ἐλαφρὸν4 of 16

“light”

G1645

light, i.e., easy

τῆς5 of 16

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θλίψεως6 of 16

“affliction”

G2347

pressure (literally or figuratively)

ἡμῶν7 of 16

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

καθ'8 of 16

“a far”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ὑπερβολὴν9 of 16
G5236

a throwing beyond others, i.e., (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with g1519 or g2596) pre- eminently

εἰς10 of 16

“more exceeding”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ὑπερβολὴν11 of 16
G5236

a throwing beyond others, i.e., (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with g1519 or g2596) pre- eminently

αἰώνιον12 of 16

“and eternal”

G166

perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)

βάρος13 of 16

“weight”

G922

weight; in the new testament only, figuratively, a load, abundance, authority

δόξης14 of 16

“of glory”

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

κατεργάζεται15 of 16

“worketh”

G2716

to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion

ἡμῖν16 of 16

“for us”

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 4:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 4:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 8:181 Peter 5:10Romans 5:3-5James 1:12Hebrews 12:10-11James 1:3-4

Test Your Knowledge

2 Corinthians 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Corinthians 4 with CommentaryAll 2 Corinthians ChaptersComplete 2 Corinthians QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes