Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Corinthians 4:17

"For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;" — 2 Corinthians 4:17 (ASV)

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Notice the antithesis here. Light affliction—a weight of glory. Affliction is not set in contrast with peace, or freedom from affliction, but with glory. The light affliction is for a moment—the weight of glory is eternal.

And then, as if this were not enough, the apostle has to exhaust all ordinary powers of speech to adequately express the contrast between the light affliction and the weight of glory. It is far more exceeding—not only a soul brim-full of bliss, and overflowing, but, far more than that if there can be such a thing—a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

This is one of the most remarkable verses in all Scripture; the contrast here drawn is perfect, and the language is in the highest degree pertinent to the subject. When the apostle speaks of affliction, he contrasts with it glory. The affliction he calls a lightness of affliction, but the glory he calls a weight of glory; and while he describes the affliction as momentary, he rightly says that the glory is eternal; and then, as though he would make the contrast still more vivid, he says that this momentary, light affliction worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

He can scarcely find words big enough to express the contrast between what believers now have to endure and what they shall forever enjoy.