Beyond Exaggeration

Scripture

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

~2 Corinthians 4:17, NASB

Quote

Infinite realities cannot be exaggerated by a finite mentalities.

~Ya’akov

As I was preparing a sermon from the text above, I paused for prayer and confessed to my Father that I could not understand verses 17-18. After uttering a few words of desperate prayer, I glanced down into the commentary that I had been reading for more than three hours and bingo, I saw a Greek word that I had missed. The word is hyperbole. I kid you not, we use this word in our English vocabulary just as it is in Greek.

An hyperbole is a figure of speech, an exaggerated statement or claim that makes a point but is not meant to be taken literally. An example is: “I am so hungry, I could eat a horse.” I have used this particular hyperbole many times and I have never eaten one bite of horse.

In the above verse, the Greek word for the English word ‘far’ is hyperbole. Paul is literally saying, Our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that cannot be exaggerated. The Greek word for weight is used only 6 times in N.T. and four of the six, it is translated ‘burden’ and only here as a ‘weight.’ There is little doubt that Paul is speaking of some type of reward for those who suffer persecution and affliction for Christ sake because it is a ‘glorious’ weight but no actual burden. The Greek word for glory is ‘doxa’ which means splendor, majesty, brightness, magnificence, dignity and grace.

For those who are persecuted and afflicted for Christ sake, there is a reward beyond exaggeration. When you think about it, there are a lot of things that cannot be exaggerated: Heaven, hell, and God Himself to name a few. Can you exaggerate any attribute of God? Nope! When you are exhausted from telling us how much God loves, it will be only an ion of the reality.

• I forgot to mention yesterday that Ruth Livingston has been in hospital and is being moved to Moulton for rehab.
• Lara and Lexi will be graduating May 24th, just one month from now. Lara needed a childhood picture of her in uniform and Granddaddy was the only person who had one. Lara says that Seth and Lexi get all the attention.  Bless her heart!

Lara and Lexi members of the County Champion Danville Diamonds