Not temporal, but eternalWesley Wright
Lighthouse Bible ChurchSunday, February 1, 2026
Title: Not temporal, but eternal
2Co 4:15 - 2Co 5:4
Last week: Persecution is guaranteed Death in their mortal bodies, results in life eternal for readers God has raised Jesus, and he will raise us because of our belief in Him
All of what the apostles endured what ultimately for God’s glory (2Co 4:15).
How often has Paul made a similar point? God can be glorified even in their (and your) suffering.
2Co 1:8-11
Phi 3:7-14
2Co 4:16: What is the outer man? Your physical, frail body. What is the inner man? Your spirit.
The Spirit strengthens our inner man: Eph 3:14-21 Eph 4:17-25
Paul can say that their afflictions are light because they are by definition temporary (2Co 4:17). They will be delivered out of their circumstances, or they will pass on to glory in death.
Act 14:19-23
The exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2Co 4:17) refers to the eternal rewards they will enjoy in the heaven having run their course faithfully while on Earth. The persecutions pale in comparison.
If and when these “homes” fall apart, we have a greater home prepared for us in heaven (2Co 5:1).
Jesus Christ told the disciples there was a wondrous place prepared for them: Joh 14:1-6
We are strangers here for a short time: Heb 11:13-16 1Pe 2:11-12
We live short lives too: Jam 4:13-15
2Pe 1:5-15
We long for the full glory that we’ll have in a time to come. That’s what the groaning is in 2Co 5:2-3.
We are confined to these earthly bodies that are passing away, but not always: Psa 102:18-22
Isa 25:6-9; Isa 65:17-25 Rom 8:15-25
Mortality being swallowed up by life is a reference to the glorified bodies we look forward to (2 Corinthians 5:4). We will shed these mortal bodies one way or another.
1Co 15:50-58
Phi 1:15-24
Rev 21:1-5
In conclusion:
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