It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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 4:13-18
In this section of 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul provides profound insights into the nature of faith, the power of the gospel, and the hope of eternal glory. Here in this short passage, Paul explores faith, resurrection, and an eternal perspective, offering encouragement to believers.
Paul begins here in verse 13 by quoting a psalm, though many of our modern English translations don’t have that exact verse translated that way. In the KJV, it is clear that Paul is quoting Psalm 116:10, but other English versions of that verse have completely different wording. The Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament) has the wording Paul is quoting for Psalm 115:1, though again, our English translations do not reflect that. However, the details of what verse Paul is quoting from are less important than his meaning with using that statement.
Paul draws a parallel between the faith of those in the Old Testament and his New Testament faith. He emphasizes that faith is not a silent, passive belief but an active force that demands to be proclaimed. Faith is rooted in the experience of God's power and promises, and it enables believers to speak boldly about their convictions and the gospel. This verse challenges contemporary Christians to consider the vitality of our own faith and how it compels us to speak and act.
Why should our faith compel us to speak about it? Verse 14 gives us the answer: “Because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself." Paul’s faith is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that is where our faith should be anchored as well. The resurrection is not only a past event but a future hope for all believers. Paul confidently asserts that the same God who raised Jesus will also raise all believers, presenting them together in His presence. This belief in the resurrection underscores our certain hope that transcends temporal suffering and mortality.
Verse 15 concludes Paul’s thought for this section. His ministry is marked by suffering and perseverance, and it is ultimately for the benefit of the Corinthians and others who hear the gospel. The grace of God reaches an ever-widening audience, both in Paul’s day at today. This spreading grace results in an outpouring of thanksgiving, bringing glory to God. As the gospel message expands to more and more people, there is greater thanksgiving to God and greater glory given to God. Our purpose is to glorify God, and we accomplish that purpose in part by spreading the gospel message.
Paul starts verse 16 with the same phrase he used in verse 1 of this chapter: “Therefore, we do not lose heart.” Despite the external decay and suffering he experiences, he remains undaunted. The key to his resilience is the inner renewal he experiences daily through his relationship with God. This inner renewal contrasts sharply with the outward deterioration of our bodies, emphasizing the transformative power of being spiritually connected to God. Even when we face physical or external challenges, we need to focus on spiritual growth that is not dependent on our physical bodies.
Paul puts this in perspective in verse 17: "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." Paul’s afflictions, and ours, are "light and momentary" in comparison to the "eternal glory" they are producing. This eternal glory, which is far more significant, serves as a powerful incentive to endure whatever our present difficulties are. This perspective challenges Paul’s readers to reframe their understanding of suffering. Instead of viewing it as pointless or overwhelming, he invites us to see it as a temporary phase that contributes to a much greater and everlasting reward. This eternal perspective can transform how we as believers approach our trials, fostering hope and perseverance.
Concluding this passage in verse 18, Paul encourages believers to focus on the unseen and the eternal rather than the seen and the temporary. The visible, material world is passing away, but the invisible, spiritual realities are eternal. By shifting our focus to the eternal, we as believers can maintain a sense of purpose and hope amid life's transitory challenges. This verse gives us a fundamental principle of our faith: living by faith rather than sight. It calls believers to prioritize spiritual realities and eternal truths over immediate, tangible experiences. This means cultivating a vision that looks beyond the present circumstances to the enduring promises of God.
This section offers profound insights for believers facing various challenges. First, it emphasizes the active nature of faith, which compels us to speak and act boldly, not just to silently keep our faith to ourselves. Second, the certainty of the resurrection provides a foundation for hope and perseverance. In a world marked by suffering and uncertainty, the promise of resurrection and eternal life offers a powerful anchor for the soul. The interconnectedness of ministry, grace, and thanksgiving highlights the communal aspect of faith. Believers are called to persevere in their ministries, knowing that their efforts contribute to the spread of the gospel and glorifying God.
The call to fix our eyes on things that are unseen and eternal challenges us to cultivate an eternal perspective. This means prioritizing spiritual realities and eternal truths over immediate, tangible experiences. It encourages a shift in focus from the transient to the enduring, fostering resilience and hope.
Speak boldly, be anchored in the resurrection, embrace Christian community, make spiritual growth a priority, and cultivate an eternal perspective in your life.
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