2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (WEL) For this is the reason we don’t give up even though our body [literally outward man] perishes, yet the inward is renewed day after day. 17 Our lightweight troubles, which are short-lived, bring us exceedingly greater and eternal weight of glory. 18 For we are not looking at the things which are seen but the things not seen, for what is seen is temporary, but the things not seen are eternal.
V16 For this is the reason we don’t give up even though our body [literally outward man] perishes, yet the inward is renewed day after day.
Our physical body slowly dies.
Our spiritual self should be growing every day, every month, every year. We are renewed every day, growing, maturing, if we feed on spiritual food. Spiritual food is reading and studying the Bible in the plain, normal sense. We must do so for the Bible is the Words of God. We must pray and strive to live according to the Laws of Christ (Galatians 6:2) with God’s assisting grace. We need fellowship to use our spiritual gifts and to learn from the spiritual gifts of other believers.
Compare John 23:12, Luke 4:4, Psalm 119:130, and John 15:5-6.
V17 Our lightweight troubles, which are short-lived, bring us exceedingly greater and eternal weight of glory.
All our afflictions, pains, abuses, persecutions, distresses, etc. are considered lightweight when compared to the great blessings of heaven. Compare Ephesians 1:3, Revelation 21:4, and Revelation 22:1-5.
V18 For we are not looking at the things which are seen but the things not seen, for what is seen is temporary, but the things not seen are eternal.
The Greek word for looking at is (G4648) σκοπέω skopéō, which means keep an eye on, awareness of a situation. (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw & Nida)) to continue to regard closely – to watch, to notice carefully.
The goal we are intently looking at are things not yet known to believers on earth. Those in heaven following their death see much more.
There will be a New Heavens and New Earth in the future.
There will be no death, no sin, no sickness there.
These things are promises not yet realized.
We learn:
- The Gospel of Jesus gives us hope for our eternal future.
- Earthly troubles do end, but the heavenly blessings never end.
Questions:
- Are you growing in the faith?
- Are you looking for the future blessings?