Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 8:18

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward." — Romans 8:18 (ASV)

That the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

These sufferings, however sharp, are short, compared with eternal glory, infinitesimal, not worthy to be taken into account; like one drop falling into a river and lost in it.

For I reckon

Judge, count it up, and calculate.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Glory in us! Only think of that! You know the revelation that is in the book; but how grand will be the revelation that is in the man!

The glory which shall be revealed in us. We shall be full of glory.

And a part of God's glory, which otherwise must have lain concealed, will be revealed in his people to his own praise forever and ever; but also to our own eternal joy.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Paul made the sufferings of this present time into a matter of simple arithmetic and careful reckoning. He added them all up and saw what the total was. He seemed to be about to state a proportion sum, but he gave it up and said that the sufferings were not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. Did they stand as one to a thousand? No, otherwise they would have been worthy to be compared. Did they stand as one to ten thousand, – or one to a million, – or one to a million of millions? If so, they would still have been worthy to be compared; but Paul saw that there was no proportion whatever between them. The sufferings seemed to be but as a single drop, and the glory to be as a boundless ocean.

Not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

That glory is not yet fully revealed; it is revealed to us, but not yet in us. What, then, shall we do in the meantime? Wait with patience, and bear our appointed burden until the time comes for us to be relieved of it; wait, however, with hope; wait, too, as we must, quietly enduring the pains and pangs which precede so glorious a birth. In this respect, we are not alone, as the apostle goes on to say, –

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

He had just mentioned the sufferings. They are too little. They are mere specks in the sun. They are too small to be weighed in comparison with the exceeding weight of glory which God has prepared for us.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

"Light afflictions" are contrasted with "an exceeding weight of glory." Temporary afflictions, but for a moment, are to be followed by everlasting crowns that fade not away. What a contrast!