Post by TheFirebrand on Apr 30, 2013 22:02:56 GMT -6
Hope
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
For which cause we faint not,... Since our afflictions are overruled for the good of others and the glory of God, we are not discouraged by them. Our spirits do not sink under the weight of them and we do not give out from the work of the ministry because of them but go on cheerfully.
But though our outward man perish - By outward man, Paul evidently means the body. By using the phrases, "the outward man," and the "inward man," he shows that he believed that man was made up of two parts, body and soul.
Yet the inward man - The soul; the undecaying, the immortal part.is renewed - His spiritual strength is constantly renewed by Christ with fresh "grace" (2Co 4:15), and "faith" (2Co 4:13), and hope (2Co 4:17, 18).
For our light affliction - Great as his afflictions were, he calls them light in view of the glorious reward they will bring.but for a moment in view of eternity.
Worketh for us - Will produce, will result in. The effect of these afflictions is to produce eternal glory.
(1) By their tendency to wean us from the world;
(2) To purify the heart, by enabling us to 'break away' from the sins on account of which God afflicts us;
(3) By disposing us to look to God for consolation and support in our trials;
(4) By causing us to contemplate the glories of the heavenly world, and thus winning us to seek heaven as our home;
(5) Because God has graciously promised to reward his people in heaven as the result of their bearing trials in this life.
It is by affliction that he purifies them (Isaiah 48:10)
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
For which cause we faint not,... Since our afflictions are overruled for the good of others and the glory of God, we are not discouraged by them. Our spirits do not sink under the weight of them and we do not give out from the work of the ministry because of them but go on cheerfully.
But though our outward man perish - By outward man, Paul evidently means the body. By using the phrases, "the outward man," and the "inward man," he shows that he believed that man was made up of two parts, body and soul.
Yet the inward man - The soul; the undecaying, the immortal part.is renewed - His spiritual strength is constantly renewed by Christ with fresh "grace" (2Co 4:15), and "faith" (2Co 4:13), and hope (2Co 4:17, 18).
For our light affliction - Great as his afflictions were, he calls them light in view of the glorious reward they will bring.but for a moment in view of eternity.
Worketh for us - Will produce, will result in. The effect of these afflictions is to produce eternal glory.
(1) By their tendency to wean us from the world;
(2) To purify the heart, by enabling us to 'break away' from the sins on account of which God afflicts us;
(3) By disposing us to look to God for consolation and support in our trials;
(4) By causing us to contemplate the glories of the heavenly world, and thus winning us to seek heaven as our home;
(5) Because God has graciously promised to reward his people in heaven as the result of their bearing trials in this life.
It is by affliction that he purifies them (Isaiah 48:10)