IV.
In the last post I briefly called our attention to the mention of “this slight affliction.” And to be more precise Paul calls it a “slight momentary affliction.”

As you read the passage again with this phrase in mind, notice anything Paul writes that throws light on “this slight momentary affliction.”

V.
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

VI.
What did you notice as possible examples of this “slight momentary affliction”?

Maybe, “our outer nature is wasting away…”?
And, “if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed …”?

And then, “… in this tent we groan … we groan under our burden …”?

VII.
In a first reading of this I hear Paul speaking to my physical condition of “aging.” Is that the word we use today for “getting old,” “wearing out,” and just plain “running out of steam.”

But then it occurs to me to look beyond my physical “aging.”

Maybe it’s my home also. Even our neighborhood, community, and our very world.

VIII.
Take a few moments to go back to this passage and notice any words of encouragement Paul has for you.

At what word or words did you notice the most hope stirring within you?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}