17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), 2 Co 4:17.
I must bring this series to a close. Not because I am anxious to do so, but it is nearly 7 months since we started on this journey of discovery of the way which Jesus travelled to be at the Right Hand of the Father. It has spanned the run up to Easter, then to Ascension, Pentecost and the Church age. I sense that we have come to the point where I can close this off for now. Never say never, God to open this up again, and we could revisit some of the places we have been. This will be converted into a book and published on various platforms.
Light
Paul approaches a present reality, with what is coming in the end times. We are not condemned to a life of permanent and unsustainable suffering. In comparison the gains from the depths of sufferings that are sustained directly because of the cause, is so great.
ἐλαφρός (elaphros), ά (a), όν (on): adj.; ≡ Str 1645—1. LN 86.2 light, not burdensome, light of weight (Mt 11:30+), for another focus, see last; 2. LN 78.10 limited, light, not intense (2Co 4:17+); 3. LN 22.38 easy, not difficult to bear (Mt 11:30+), for another interp, see first
James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
If you cross reference with this meaning with Paul’s experience with the thorn of 2 Corinthians 12 we see that the same connotation is referred to. It is easy not difficult to bear, especially when one learns to walk in the enabling of grace to continue to persevere. It is limited in that it will not last forever. We can have hope that once the purpose for which our trial is allowed has achieved its goal we will become free of it. This goes for all believers, our persecution or affliction in this life is given hope, it won’t be forever. Jesus passed through death, went through resurrection and ascended to the Right Hand. Revelation 5 tells us the process of where the Lamb is “found worthy”. Here we see that its the process of the Cross which qualifies the Lamb to open the book of 7 seals.
Because Jesus fully qualified through His loving obedience to the Father and His willing endurance of suffering, we also can confidently qualify as we walk with Him through the same life-giving process.
Affliction
There is sufferings for the cause of Christ, there are sufferings made by our imperfection and lack of insight. We need to discern and ask God to lead us through the sufferings for the sake of Christ, as He has gone before us in this pattern we must therefore expect Him to guide us through. If we made errors we must be humble enough to embrace the correction. The afflictions are doorways to greater weights of glory. The cross opened for us a New Covenant. Our sufferings as saints and heirs open up eternal life. We must know how to bear “our cross”.
Worketh
κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai): vb.; ≡ Str 2716; TDNT 3.634—1. LN 42.17 accomplish, implying something done with thoroughness (Eph 6:13); 2. LN 90.47 do, make, perform; a marker of an agent relation (Ro 1:27; 2:9); 3. LN 13.9 result in, bring about (Ro 4:15); 4. LN 77.6 prepare, make ready (2Co 5:5)
James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
This combination of our mindset, attitude toward the sufferings we must pass through for walking in Christ, for Christ and because of Christ, is making ready for Him to return and bring us into the place He is now. That is the purpose of our journey to now. The journey Jesus walked is the journey that all believers must walk. The destination Jesus opened for us, is the destination we too are walking.
Exceeding
ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē), ῆς (ēs), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ Str 5236; TDNT 8.520—LN 78.33 extra-ordinary, all-surpassingness; beyond measure (Ro 7:13; 1Co 12:31; 2Co 1:8; 4:7, 17; 12:7; Gal 1:13+)
James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
The imagery Paul is trying to convey is something way above expected or way above what is normal. This is the imagery of eternity and that which has been reserved for those who are sons and heirs.
The letter to the Ephesian Church tells us that the Holy Spirit was given to us as a foretaste and a guarantee of the abundant life to come. Paul says that the “exceeding” is way beyond comprehension, because of the contrast of what God had to do to gain the hearts of people, and what He has reserved for them.
God wants us to expect and believe for His “Exceeding” in our lives. Yes, we have talked much about the suffering that was afforded in this journey, but we must also see that sufferings are preparatory processes for great and exceeding blessings, joys and restorations.
Eternal
Whilst the sufferings, afflictions and adversities come, they are not eternal. They come and they go. They come to teach, they go so we can move into divinely ordained inheritances prepared for us. There is no end to what God has prepared for us…we are returning to an eternal nature, and to an eternal life without end. The very same state that Adam let go of when both he and Eve were tempted and were seduced into error.
The devil tried to lie, that we would be like God with knowledge, when Adam was already like God by nature and character. The devil made Adam and Eve forget who they were and what they had, and showed them what they “did not have”. Is not all advertising and marketing this way also. Always turning our attention to what we do not have?
What do we have in Christ?
- Redemption by Christ’s blood
- Communion and Intimacy with God
- Communion with other saints
- Promises for God’s constant care through our lives.
Weight
The word in the Hebrew for Glory is “Kabod”. It means weight. This weight is the totality of God Himself. It is something that impresses upon us, even if we do not see or feel it. More and more as we journey with God on this route to the Right Hand, the weight of His Presence will grow. We are corporately walking to the time when Jesus will return.
His Presence will be great when He returns to us, comes for us, and we return with Him. His return is to divide between son and heir, and those who are not. Until then we need to learn how to process our adversities, discern with our deceptions, walk with intimacy with Christ. The weight and impact of our prayers, intercessions, studies, and communions we experience, in the Church, in conferences and seminars, will be found in the twinkling of an eye.
Concluding Words
I hope you have been inspired in the 7 months we have walked out this reality, accompanying Jesus from Transfiguration to the Right Hand of the Father. In the times of great suffering, in the times of great glory we have learnt with Him the principles which we need to also walk out. I have grown amazed how much we do not know, but as we accompany Him teaching us, opening to us the Scriptures, we come to know Him, our eyes are opened, and we exclaim “We have seen the Lord”. When we see Him as He is, He can only be Lord, and King, and Judge of the Earth. To Him we owe our subjection, our adoration. This neatly leads us onto a new Pursuit, to discover the open doors to “Yadah“, where all these things we have journeyed these last months, come into a more intimate focus. All Hail to the King, who is found worthy, who is He who overcomes in all times and in all generations.
Maranatha!!!!
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