2Cor 4:17-18 | JFB | STEP | 17. which is but for a moment —"Our PRESENT light (burden of) affliction" (so the Greek; compare ), [ALFORD ]. Compare " now for a season . . . in heaviness" ( ). The contrast, however, between this and the "ETERNAL weight of glory" requires, I think, the translation, "Which is but for the present passing moment. " So WAHL . "The lightness of affliction" (he does not express "burden" after "light"; the Greek is "the light of affliction") contrasts beautifully with the " weight of the glory." worketh —rather, "worketh out." a far more exceeding and —rather, "in a surpassing and still more surpassing manner" [ALFORD ]; "more and more exceedingly" [ELLICOTT , TRENCH , and others]. Greek, "in excess and to excess." The glory exceeds beyond all measure the affliction.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

17. which is but for a moment—"Our PRESENT light (burden of) affliction" (so the Greek; compare Mt 11:30), [ALFORD]. Compare "now for a season . . . in heaviness" (1Pe 1:6). The contrast, however, between this and the "ETERNAL weight of glory" requires, I think, the translation, "Which is but for the present passing moment." So WAHL. "The lightness of affliction" (he does not express "burden" after "light"; the Greek is "the light of affliction") contrasts beautifully with the "weight of the glory."

worketh—rather, "worketh out."

a far more exceeding and —rather, "in a surpassing and still more surpassing manner" [ALFORD]; "more and more exceedingly" [ELLICOTT, TRENCH, and others]. Greek, "in excess and to excess." The glory exceeds beyond all measure the affliction.

18. look not at—as our aim.

things . . . seen—"earthly things" (Php 3:19). We mind not the things seen, whether affliction or refreshment come, so as to be seduced by the latter, or deterred by the former [CHRYSOSTOM].

things . . . not seen—not "the invisible things" of Ro 1:20, but the things which, though not seen now, shall be so hereafter.

temporal—rather, "for a time"; in contrast to eternal. English Version uses "temporal" for temporary. The Greek is rightly translated in the similar passage, "the pleasures of sin for a season."