Living a Temporary Life from an Eternal Perspective

Introduction:

Why is maturity so important?

How does learning the Word of God help us live life now?

The Bible gives us more than utopian fantasies.

We have the realities of the:

Incarnation

Crucifixion

Resurrection.

God’s nature as someone trustworthy, genuine and therefore truthful.

Even the writer of Ecclesiastes, as he expounded upon “life under the sun” considered life bleak and hopeless apart from knowing God and living with wisdom that comes from Him through His word.

Paul has explained that his ministry has implications beyond himself.

It means “life” and maturity for unbelievers and for believers like the Corinthians.

It is an indication, all by itself, that the Gospel is true.

Through continued, faithful preaching, thanksgiving to God increases.

No Weariness: A Renewed Innerself

Paul returns to the theme of “weariness” introduced in 2 Cor. 4:1.

This appears to be the key point he wishes to convey through this section.

He wants to explain why he does not grow weary.

Weariness takes on a specific meaning in the earlier part of the chapter.

It refers to growing tired, yes, but tiredness manifests itself in more than growing physically tired.

Tiredness, here, means resorting to dishonest tactics and disobedient behavior.

He wants to reiterate that he does not grow weary.

This framing becomes the way Paul transitions into the real meat or substance of why he does not grow weary.

What keeps him going?

What “gets him out of bed in the morning” despite knowing that he will face the worst the world can throw a him when he does?

Paul introduces a thought exercise to explore this.

He contrasts the outer and inner person.

Notice the present tenses.

“For the temporary, light (nature) of our suffering is accomplishing for us beyond all measure for a superior, eternal weight of glory.”

Paul has introduced “weight” which will return again in the next chapter.

Paul could live life as though it were a burden, and he could view his sufferings as weights.

But, he does not.

Instead, he claims there’s a weight glory at work in him. He’s moving closer and closer to the glorified body with each passing day.

This is part of that “renewing” of the inside man each day.

Perspective: Not the Momentary but the Eternal

Paul’s thoughts, here, coincide with the previous verse.

Paul now deals with what he focuses upon or ponders with great thought.

Note the contrast between what is being seen and what is not being seen.

It is important to remember that from a biblical perspective, faith is not blind.

It must come from knowledge and from consideration of evidence. What does the evidence point toward? What does it indicate to be true.

Paul isn’t blindly hoping for something. He knows God is trustworthy.

What is seen, therefore, refers to this temporary, earthly house (2Cor. 5:1).

What is not seen refers to the body to come.