2 Corinthians 4:17

The apostle in these words wonderfully lesseneth his own, and the rest of the apostles, and all other Christians sufferings for the gospel: he calleth them light, not that they were so in themselves, but with respect to that weight of glory which he mentioneth in the latter part of the verse: he calleth them momentary, but for a moment, with reference to that eternity which is mentioned. The afflictions are light, the glory will be a weight; the afflictions are but for a moment, the glory shall be eternal. And (saith the apostle) our affliction worketh for us this glory: the glory will not only be a consequent of these afflictions, but these afflictions will be a cause of it; not a meritorious cause, (for what proportion is there between momentary afflictions and eternal glory? Between light afflictions and a weight of glory, an exceeding weight of glory?) But a cause in respect of the infinite goodness and mercy of God, and in respect of the truth and faithfulness of God.