What happens to the outward man and inward man according to 2 Corinthians 4:16?
According to 2 Corinthians 4:16, the outward man perishes, but the inward man is renewed day by day. This means the physical, earthly frame decays, while the inner man is continually refreshed. The verse encourages believers not to faint, looking instead at unseen, eternal realities rather than temporal things.
Les explains that in 2 Corinthians 4:16 the text says, "though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." The outward man is the earthly, temporal side that perishes, while the inward man is renewed continually. Les connects this to the light affliction that is only for a moment and works a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Verse 18 reinforces this by saying believers look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen, because the seen things are temporal and earthly, not heavenly. Earlier in the chapter, Les notes that the same Jesus who raised up the Lord will raise us up and present us with you, all to God's glory.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.