Strength in Weakness: Back to the Future | Listen to Sermon Audio
Understanding “Glory”
The word “glory” can be one of those Bible words that runs the risk of being used all the time in Christian circles, and all the while no one really understands what it means. In 2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul tells us that “light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” This sounds pretty great, but how are we to understand Paul’s use of the word “glory” here and what all that means for what we have to look forward to in eternity?
The basic definition of the word “glory” is that which is heavy/weighty and of great value. It is used often in Scripture as a way to describe the Lord, and the manifest presence of his glory is often pictured as being bright and shining. However, another way in which we see “glory” used is in reference to the Lord’s desire for us to share in his glory; in fact, Jesus prays in John 17:22 that it is his desire for his followers to share in the same glory that he himself shares in with the Father.
So in what we sense do we share in God’s glory? First, what this does NOT mean is that we somehow become equal with God. Rather, what Jesus is emphasizing throughout his prayer in John 17 is the idea of unity. Just as he is unified with the Father and the Spirit, he desires for us to be unified with him and with each other. If this is Paul’s idea of “glory” in 2 Corinthians 4:17, then it would suggest that he is looking forward to a time when our unity with the Lord is made complete, so that we perfectly know him and relate to him and reflect him apart from any presence of sin or shortcoming or failure. Paul says this future guarantee is weighty/heavy and eternal in comparison to the light and momentary afflictions of this life.
Heavenly Father fix our eyes on what is eternal, even if temporary suffering is needed to help us do so!