2 COR 4:17 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) because our small, temporary troubles will produce an excess of great honour for us.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For our momentary, light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.

UST We do not give up, because when we suffer in temporary and unimportant ways, that will cause us to become glorious forever and in important ways, ways that we cannot even imagine.

BLB For the momentary lightness of our affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far surpassing to excessiveness.

AICNT For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

OEB The light burden of our momentary trouble is preparing for us a weight of imperishable glory, beyond all measure.

WEBBE For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison

LSV for the momentary light matter of our tribulation works out for us more and more an exceedingly continuous weight of glory—

FBV These trivial troubles we have only last for a little while, but they produce for us an ever-increasing degree of glory.

TCNT For our light and momentary affliction is bringing about for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all measure,

T4T I know that all these troubles that happen to us in this life are not significant and will not last forever. When we think of the glorious things that God is preparing for us to enjoy forever in heaven, all our suffering now is not important.

LEB For our momentary light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory _⌊beyond all measure and proportion_⌋[fn],

4:17 Literally “according to an extraordinary degree to an extraordinary degree”

BBE For our present trouble, which is only for a short time, is working out for us a much greater weight of glory;

Moff The slight trouble of the passing hour results in a solid glory past all comparison,

Wymth For this our light and transitory burden of suffering is achieving for us a preponderating, yes, a vastly preponderating, and eternal weight of glory;

ASV For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;

DRA For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.

YLT for the momentary light matter of our tribulation, more and more exceedingly an age-during weight of glory doth work out for us —

Drby For our momentary [and] light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory;

RV For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
(For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh/works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; )

SLT For the present moment the lightness of our pressure works to us an eternal weight of glory, as eminence upon eminence;

Wbstr For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

KJB-1769 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
(For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh/works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; )

KJB-1611 For our light affliction, which is but for a momēt, worketh for vs a farre more exceeding and eternall waight of glory,
(For our light affliction, which is but for a momēt, worketh/works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,)

Bshps For our exceedyng tribulation which is momentanie & lyght, prepareth an exceedyng and an eternall wayght of glorie vnto vs.
(For our exceeding tribulation which is momentanie and light, prepareth an exceeding and an eternal weight of glory unto us.)

Gnva For our light affliction which is but for a moment, causeth vnto vs a farre most excellent and an eternall waight of glorie:
(For our light affliction which is but for a moment, causeth unto us a far most excellent and an eternal weight of glory: )

Cvdl For oure trouble, which is but temporall and lighte, worketh an exceadinge and an eternall weighte of glorye
(For our trouble, which is but temporall and lighte, worketh/works an exceeding and an eternal weighte of glory)

TNT For oure excedinge tribulacion which is momentany and light prepareth an excedinge and an eternall wayght of glorye vnto vs
(For our excedinge tribulation which is momentany and light prepareth an excedinge and an eternal weight of glory unto us )

Wycl But that liyt thing of oure tribulacioun that lastith now, but as it were by a moment, worchith in vs ouer mesure an euerlastynge birthin in to the heiynesse of glorie;
(But that light thing of our tribulation that lastith now, but as it were by a moment, worketh/works in us over measure an everlasting birthin in to the heiyness of glory;)

Luth Denn unsere Trübsal, die zeitlich und leicht ist, schaffet eine ewige und über alle Maßen wichtige Herrlichkeit
(Because our gloom/sorrow/afflictions, the time(v) and easily is, creates/makes a/one eternal and above all dimensions whichtige glory/splendour)

ClVg Id enim, quod in præsenti est momentaneum et leve tribulationis nostræ, supra modum in sublimitate æternum gloriæ pondus operatur in nobis,
(That because, that in/into/on present it_is momentaneum and leve tribulation our, above way in/into/on sublimitate eternal of_glory weight works in/into/on us, )

UGNT τὸ γὰρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν, καθ’ ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης, κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν,
(to gar parautika elafron taʸs thlipseōs haʸmōn, kath’ huperbolaʸn eis huperbolaʸn aiōnion baros doxaʸs, katergazetai haʸmin,)

SBL-GNT τὸ γὰρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως ⸀ἡμῶν καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν,
(to gar parautika elafron taʸs thlipseōs ⸀haʸmōn kathʼ huperbolaʸn eis huperbolaʸn aiōnion baros doxaʸs katergazetai haʸmin,)

RP-GNT Τὸ γὰρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν καθ' ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν,
(To gar parautika elafron taʸs thlipseōs haʸmōn kath' huperbolaʸn eis huperbolaʸn aiōnion baros doxaʸs katergazetai haʸmin,)

TC-GNT Τὸ γὰρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως [fn]ἡμῶν καθ᾽ ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν,
(To gar parautika elafron taʸs thlipseōs haʸmōn kath huperbolaʸn eis huperbolaʸn aiōnion baros doxaʸs katergazetai haʸmin, )

4:17 ημων ¦ — WH

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:7–18: Although our bodies are weak, our message is powerful

In this section, Paul continued to speak of the difficulties that he and the other evangelists encountered as they did the work of the new covenant. He referred to their bodies as jars of clay (4:7a), which are easily shattered. He said this to show that our human nature is weak and easily fails as we follow God. But Paul was also encouraged that God enabled him to do the work of the new covenant in spite of great difficulties (4:7b–9).

He wrote that he and the other evangelists experienced things similar to what Jesus experienced before he died, but those experiences showed to other people how Jesus lived (4:10–11). He wrote that the believers experienced the good effects of Jesus’ life (4:12). He supported his ministry of preaching with a quote from the Old Testament (4:13), and he explained the promise there (4:14). He wrote that their ministry benefited the believers in Corinth and others as well (4:15).

Lastly, Paul wrote how they continue in spite of the difficulties (4:16–18).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Spiritual Treasure in Clay Jars (NCV)

Even though our bodies are weak, God gives us strength to tell the gospel

A glorious, powerful message taught by weak messengers

4:17a–b

(reordered) For our troubles gain/obtain for us an eternal glory that is very much greater than them, and so those troubles in comparison seem only light/small and last only a short time.

(reordered) Our troubles cause us to have a splendor/majesty that will remain forever. That splendor/majesty is very much greater than the pain of all those troubles. Therefore, those troubles can be thought of as being only little and short-lived.

our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison: Paul implied a comparison here. The forms of affliction experienced by Paul and his coworkers were very difficult (1:8–9). But compared to the reward in heaven (4:17b), the experiences of affliction seemed small and lasted a short time. Other ways to translate the phrase our light and momentary affliction are:

the temporary, light burden of our hardships (NJB)

this small and temporary trouble we suffer (GNT)

our present troubles that are small and that will not last very long

In some languages a literal translation would not clearly imply the comparison. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
The troubles of Paul and his coworkers were very difficult (1:8–9). But in comparison to the reward in heaven (4:17b), the troubles seemed small and lasted only a short time.
Include the implied comparison in your translation. For example:
our extreme/difficult troubles are only light and momentary when compared to the eternal glory they achieve for us, which far outweighs all those troubles
our great/bad troubles seem only light and momentarybecause they achieve for us eternal glory, which far outweighs all of them
our great/bad troubles achieve for us eternal glory, and that glory far outweighs all of them. So those troubles are only light and momentary in comparison

4:17a

For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us

For our^(excl) slight and temporary hardships/troubles are obtaining for us
Our great troubles seem only little and short-lived, because they result in

For: Here the conjunction For introduces an explanation of 4:16. Some English versions, such as the CEV and GW, do not translate this conjunction. Some languages can also allow the context to indicate an implied connection and do not need to use a conjunction here.

light: Here this word refers to the troubles being small. Paul calls these troubles light because in comparison with the eternal glory that believers will receive, the troubles seem small. Other ways to translate this word are:

little (CEV)

slight (REB)

of no weight

momentary: Here this word refers to the troubles lasting only a short time. Other ways to translate this word are:

temporary (GNT)

which is but for a moment (KJV)

won’t last very long (NLT)

short-lived (REB)

affliction is producing: This verb phrase indicates that the affliction that Paul and his coworkers experienced resulted in glory for them. That affliction came to them as followers of Jesus and they lived with it in a godly manner, so God would reward them with glory. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

troubles are achieving (NIV)

and their outcome is (REB)

will bring (GNT)

Paul and his coworkers would not receive the glory until they arrived in heaven, so in some languages it is more natural to indicate a future result. For example:

is preparing (RSV)

4:17b

an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.

an eternal glory that is very much greater than those troubles,
a splendor/majesty for us that lasts forever. That splendor/majesty is so great that it is beyond comparison to those troubles.

an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison: The Greek phrase is literally “from excess to excess an eternal weight of glory.” The phrase “from excess to excess” indicates that the glory Paul would receive was much, much greater than the troubles he was facing. The amount of glory was beyond comparison to the troubles. Other ways to translate this are:

an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (NIV)

a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever (NLT)

an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine (GW)

glory: This word literally means “brightness.” The word can also refer to light emanating from someone. Here the word symbolizes reward, splendor, and majesty. God will reward Paul and his coworkers with eternal life, a glorified body, and other rewards. Other ways to translate this word are:

splendor

majesty

See how you translated this word in 1:20 or 4:15.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρόν τῆς θλίψεως καθʼ ὑπερβολήν εἰς ὑπερβολήν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν)

Here, the word For introduces a reason why Paul and his fellow workers do not become discouraged (See: [4:16](../04/16.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a reason for a previous statement. Alternate translation: [We do not become discouraged because] or [We do that because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὸ & παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of affliction, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “afflict” or “suffer.” Alternate translation: [how we are afflicted in light and momentary ways]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως & αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης

Here Paul describes affliction and glory as if they were objects that could be light or have weight. He speaks in this way to indicate how unimportant or insignificant the affliction is compared with how important or significant the glory is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [small affliction … an eternal, great glory] or [insignificant affliction … an eternal, significant glory]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν

˓is˒_producing ˱for˲_us

Here Paul speaks as if the affliction were a process that was producing the glory. He means that the affliction leads to glory for us. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [is leading us to] or [is enabling us to gain]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης

˓an˒_eternal burden ˱of˲_glory

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe an eternal weight that is made up of glory. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [an eternal weight that is glory]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

δόξης

˱of˲_glory

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “glorious” or “great.” Alternate translation: [of what is great]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

καθ’ ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν

as (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρόν τῆς θλίψεως καθʼ ὑπερβολήν εἰς ὑπερβολήν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν)

Here, the phrase far beyond all comparison identifies something that is much greater than anything else. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that identifies something that is greatest or most amazing. Alternate translation: [that is greater than anything] or [that is the greatest of all]

Parallel 2 COR 4:17

Section 4:7–18: Although our bodies are weak, our message is powerful

4:17a–b

4:17a

4:17b

Parallel 2 COR 4:17