1. Context (BKC)
Paul well knew what it was to suffer in ministering for Christ. His distress at not finding Titus in Troas had been a part of that suffering. Remembrance of that painful experience (2:12–13) and God’s provision of comfort (7:5–6) touched off this intervening meditation (in 2:12–7:4) on the greatness of the New Covenant ministry. The ministry triumphed in Christ (2:12–3:6), was glorious because of the ministry of the Spirit (3:7–18), and received its power from God (4:1–15). Now Paul turned to another aspect of this ministry, its eternal perspective.
2. Comparison: What is more important?
Inner person is more important that physical body (being renewed, being wore away)
Eternal is more important than momentary (glory, suffering)
What cannot be seen (eternal) is more important than what can be seen (temporary)
Therefore, even though we experience physically being wore away, or momentary suffering, pursuing things that no one can see. These are real, but less important.
Conclusion: Paul can see the suffering as less important is due to 2 reasons: 1. it is because of his eternal perspective v.16-18 2. It is for the ministry v.15 3. It is because of the power of God v.7.
3. Not only we can overlook suffering as less important, but actually suffering is beneficial to us.
16 Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison
renewed=same word as Col 3:10 to be more like the Lord, the noun form is used in Ro 12:2, BDAG in pass., and fig. of the spiritual rebirth of the Christian
BKC Part of the means used by God in this transforming, renewing process is suffering (cf. 1 Peter 4:1, 13–14).
Reflection: Suffering limits my ministry and is the thing I try to avoid. Not only do I need to change my perspective of what is more important, but I also miss the transforming opportunity to be more like Christ.
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