Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:17

17. After τῆς θλίψεως B, Chrys. and perhaps other authorities omit ἡμῶν, and אCK with some versions omit εἰς ὑπερβολήν. The latter is certainly to be retained.

17. τὸ γὰρ παραυτίκα ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως. Literally, ‘For the momentary lightness of our affliction’; which is admirably turned as, For our light affliction, which is but for a moment (A.V.), or ‘for the moment’ (R.V.). For παραυτίκα see Psalms 69:3; not elsewhere in the N.T. In what follows, as in 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 4:6, words are piled up to express the intensity of the glory.

καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν. Worketh out for us more and more beyond measure (2 Corinthians 1:8) an eternal weight of glory; in which αἰώνιον is in contrast to παραυτίκα, βάρος to ἐλαφρόν, and δόξης to τῆς θλίψεως. The etymological connexion in Hebrew between the word for ‘heavy’ and the word for ‘glory’ may have caused the connexion of the ideas in S. Paul’s mind: comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:6. With the general sense comp. Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:11. In κατεργάζεται ἡμῖν there is no idea of compensation for injury, or of payment for value received, as if suffering constituted a claim: it means ‘brings to completion,’ perficit. The verb is frequent with S. Paul, especially in Romans and this letter (2 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11; 2 Corinthians 11:11; 2 Corinthians 12:12): elsewhere only James 1:3; 1 Peter 4:3; but not rare in the LXX. With καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν εἰς ὑπ. comp. ἀπὸ δόξης εἰς δόξαν (2 Corinthians 3:18).

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:17

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