"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
— 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 4:17 is the "light and momentary troubles" verse, Paul's comparison between present suffering and the glory still to come. This page gives the verse, what the key words mean, where it sits in 2 Corinthians 4, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about glory, Bible verses about suffering, and Bible verses about eternity.
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The verse
The King James reads: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
"Light" is elaphros (G1645), light in weight. "Troubles" (KJV "affliction") is thlipsis (G2347), pressure or distress. "Far outweighs" (KJV "far more exceeding") is built on hyperbole (G5236), beyond measure. "Weight" is baros (G922), "eternal" is aionios (G166), and "glory" is doxa (G1391).
Where it sits in 2 Corinthians 4
Right before this verse Paul writes, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). Right after it he explains how: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).
What the verse is saying
Paul is not saying suffering is small. Later in the same letter he lists being flogged, beaten with rods, stoned, and shipwrecked three times (2 Corinthians 11:24-25). He calls those troubles "light" only when they are set on a scale next to an eternal weight of glory.
The verse makes two contrasts: light against heavy, and momentary against eternal. It also says the troubles are "achieving" something, not just passing time. Paul says the same thing in Romans: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
Questions people ask
What does 2 Corinthians 4:17 say?
In the NIV it says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." The KJV reads, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
What does "light and momentary troubles" mean?
It means present hardship looks light and short when compared with eternal glory. The Greek word thlipsis means pressure or distress, so Paul is not talking about minor annoyances.
What is the "eternal weight of glory"?
The Greek pairs baros (weight) with doxa (glory). It pictures the glory to come as heavy and lasting, the opposite of troubles that are light and brief.
Is 2 Corinthians 4:17 a good verse for someone who is suffering?
It can be, if it is offered gently and not as a reason to minimize the pain. Pairing it with presence matters; see Romans 12:15 and Bible verses about comfort.
What other verses are like 2 Corinthians 4:17?
2 Corinthians 4:16 (inwardly renewed day by day), 2 Corinthians 4:18 (fix our eyes on what is unseen), Romans 8:18 (present sufferings not worth comparing), and John 16:33 (in this world you will have trouble) are close companions.
