How did Paul compare his present sufferings to future glory?
Paul reckoned that the sufferings of this present time were nothing to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us. Though he endured scourging, shipwreck, beatings, and stoning, he counted those present afflictions as nothing beside the coming glory.
Les teaches that Paul was just as human as anyone, yet he could write in verse 18 that the sufferings of this present time were nothing to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. Paul knew suffering firsthand: he was scourged three times, shipwrecked, dumped in the Mediterranean or Aegean Sea, beaten unmercifully, stoned, and dragged out for dead. Even so, he reckoned those afflictions as nothing beside the future glory. Les points out that this glory will be revealed not to angels but to us. We may sometimes think God has forgotten, but He has not; it is coming. The context also connects suffering with Him now to being glorified with Him later, and that glorification is still what we are waiting for.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
More Questions
How did Paul view his sufferings in comparison to the coming glory?
Even with all his sufferings and hardships, Paul said they are nothing compared with the glory that will be revealed to us.