Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 4:16-18”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 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.”
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Our outer, “earthen vessels” are decaying. About that there can be no doubt. Because sin entered the world, (physical) deterioration and death are an inevitability, unless the Lord returns first. But the great news is that our “inner man” can be “renewed day by day”! God strengthens His children spiritually according to His word and by His word (Psalm 119:28). He gives us the strength to endure trials and temptations by His grace. He encourages and edifies us when we worship Him (alone or in the assembly) in spirit and in truth.
Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” We can do all (good) things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
But we must look at the things which are not seen instead of the things that are visible (verse 18). It is estimated that only 10 to 20% of an iceberg can be seen from the surface. That means 80 to 90% is submerged and not within our range of vision. There is a lot more to our surroundings than we can physically see, and the things that cannot be seen are often the most substantive. Our God, He is alive! He is real and He is all-powerful! We don’t have to see Him to believe it by faith and to know it to be true.
When we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), all of the pain and turmoil of life on earth can be seen as “momentary, light affliction” (verse 17). When we serve the Lord in obedient faith, He will wield His power mightily within our lives (Ephesians 3:20)! After His death and resurrection, Jesus ascended back to the Father in order to prepare a place for His faithful followers (John 14:1-3). When He returns He will take us to our eternal, ethereal home that we can see through the eyes of faith and by belief in His promises!
Please reads 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
