17 for the momentary light matter of our tribulation, more and more exceedingly an age-during weight of glory doth work out for us --
For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time `are' not worthy `to be compared' with the glory about to be revealed in us;
And the God of all grace, who did call you to His age-during glory in Christ Jesus, having suffered a little, Himself make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle `you';
And not only `so', but we also boast in the tribulations, knowing that the tribulation doth work endurance; and the endurance, experience; and the experience, hope; and the hope doth not make ashamed, because the love of God hath been poured forth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit that hath been given to us.
Happy the man who doth endure temptation, because, becoming approved, he shall receive the crown of the life, which the Lord did promise to those loving Him.
for they, indeed, for a few days, according to what seemed good to them, were chastening, but He for profit, to be partakers of His separation; and all chastening for the present, indeed, doth not seem to be of joy, but of sorrow, yet afterward the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those exercised through it -- it doth yield.
And to Him who is able to guard you not stumbling, and to set `you' in the presence of His glory unblemished, in gladness,
And of all things the end hath come nigh; be sober-minded, then, and watch unto the prayers,
in which ye are glad, a little now, if it be necessary, being made to sorrow in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith -- much more precious than of gold that is perishing, and through fire being approved -- may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom, not having seen, ye love, in whom, now not seeing and believing, ye are glad with joy unspeakable and glorified,
and we all, with unvailed face, the glory of the Lord beholding in a mirror, to the same image are being transformed, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
to those, indeed, who in continuance of a good work, do seek glory, and honour, and incorruptibility -- life age-during;
ministrants of Christ are they? -- as beside myself I speak -- I more; in labours more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths many times; from Jews five times forty `stripes' save one I did receive; thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice was I shipwrecked, a night and a day in the deep I have passed; journeyings many times, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from kindred, perils from nations, perils in city, perils in wilderness, perils in sea, perils among false brethren; in laboriousness and painfulness, in watchings many times, in hunger and thirst, in fastings many times, in cold and nakedness; apart from the things without -- the crowding upon me that is daily -- the care of all the assemblies.
beloved, now, children of God are we, and it was not yet manifested what we shall be, and we have known that if he may be manifested, like him we shall be, because we shall see him as he is;
since `it is' a righteous thing with God to give back to those troubling you -- trouble,
For I have known that this shall fall out to me for salvation, through your supplication, and the supply of the Spirit of Christ Jesus,
but, according as it hath been written, `What eye did not see, and ear did not hear, and upon the heart of man came not up, what God did prepare for those loving Him --'
save that the Holy Spirit in every city doth testify fully, saying, that for me bonds and tribulations remain;
Even from antiquity `men' have not heard, They have not given ear, Eye hath not seen a God save Thee, He doth work for those waiting for Him.
Good for me that I have been afflicted, That I might learn Thy statutes.
Before I am afflicted, I -- I am erring, And now Thy saying I have kept.
How abundant is Thy goodness, That Thou hast laid up for those fearing Thee,
For -- a moment `is' in His anger, Life `is' in His good-will, At even remaineth weeping, and at morn singing.
rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward `is' great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.
rejoice in that day, and leap, for lo, your reward `is' great in the heaven, for according to these things were their fathers doing to the prophets.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 4
In this chapter we have an account,
2Cr 4:1-7
The apostle had, in the foregoing chapter, been magnifying his office, upon the consideration of the excellency or glory of that gospel about which he did officiate; and now in this chapter his design is to vindicate their ministry from the accusation of false teachers, who charged them as deceitful workers, or endeavoured to prejudice the minds of the people against them on account of their sufferings. He tells them, therefore, how they believed, and how they showed their value for their office as ministers of the gospel. They were not puffed up with pride, but spurred on to great diligence: "Seeing we have this ministry, are so much distinguished and dignified, we do not take state upon ourselves, nor indulge in idleness, but are excited to the better performance of our duty.'
2Cr 4:8-18
In these verses the apostle gives an account of their courage and patience under all their sufferings, where observe,