Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Paul then supplies a surprising definition of daily spiritual renewal. It is a constant production of solid, lasting glory (lit., “an eternal weight of glory”), out of all proportion to the slight, present affliction that causes physical weakness (v.16); this eternal glory “far outweighs” any “light and momentary troubles” that are being presently experienced (cf. Romans 8:18). Again, as in vv.12, 16, the idea of proportion seems to be present: the greater the affliction Paul suffered, the greater the glory produced for him.