For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
17. Momentary lightness. As our flesh always shrinks back from its own destruction, whatever reward may be presented to our view, and as we are influenced much more by present feeling than by the hope of heavenly blessings, Paul on that account admonishes us, that the afflictions and vexations of the pious have little or nothing of bitterness, if compared with the boundless blessings of everlasting glory.
Troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, yet not in despair; persecuted, yet not forsaken of God. Whatever condition God's children face in this world, they have a 'but not' to comfort themselves with, their case is bad, but never so bad as it might be, for God supports and delivers.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Corinthians 4:8-18
While we look not at the things which are seen,.... These are the things of this world, such as riches, honours, pleasures, profits, &c. which are visible to, and strike the senses of a natural man, and are temporal, endure but for a time, are transitory, fleeting, and quickly gone.