Fat Glory

The chapter that Pastor Ray will be preaching on this weekend contains one of my favorite verses of the Bible, viz., 2Cor 4.17.

For our light and momentary affliction is achieving for us and eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all.

Ernest Hemingway, the great American literary minimalist, once said, "the beauty in the movement of an iceberg is that 90% moves beneath the surface." For 2Cor 4.17 that is particularly true, there is quite a lot moving beneath the surface, and when rightly considered it reveals an unspeakable beauty. I'd like to share a bit of why this is the case and why I love this verse so much. 

The Hebrew word for “glory,” “kabod,” in the Old Testament is an exceedingly interesting one. In Semitic languages of which Hebrew is one, most nouns are built upon a verbal root or idea, and by simply changing the pronunciation or vowels of a noun, verbs are formed. For example, the noun “farmer” in a Semitic language would arise out of the verbal idea “one who farms.” Along these lines, it is interesting that the verbal nuance under-girding the word “glory” in Hebrew is “to be heavy,” and this is applied in three different ways.

At first blush the state of “being heavy” does not seem to have much to do with “glory,” until you realize that in the ancient Near East the only people who were “heavy” in a physical sense were those who could eat more calories than they would burn off working in the fields or being a servant. So, as is still the cultural script in some cultures today, the only people who were “heavy” were the nobles or elite of the society who had plenty to eat and then did not have to turn around and work it off.

While it is true that the literal use of the verb “kabad” means “to be heavy” (see 1Sam 4.18 & 2Sam 14.26) by far its most frequent use in the Old Testament is in its abstract or metaphoric sense. It is not hard to see the development from those who are “heavy” in a physical sense, to those who are “heavy” or “weighty” due to their place in society, the influence they wield, or the wealth they possess. It is in this way, that God is said to be “heavy” or to have “glory” in the Bible. He is the most important, influential, and deserving of the most honor and respect. His reputation is so significant, so awe-inspiring, that His glory is visible to some Biblical characters like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and the high priest in the temple.

What I find extraordinary is that the semantic idea or root meaning of “glory” in the Bible, that is, “to be heavy,” is not always used in a positive light. The motif of “heaviness” is also applied to severity and harshness. This usage is found littered throughout Pharaoh’s treatment of the Israelites whom he held in bondage (Exo 7.14; 8.15; 28; 9.7, 34; 10.1; 1Sam 6:6). Also in the sense of severity, “heaviness” is applied to hard work (Exo 5.9), servitude (1Ki 12.10), warfare (Jud 20.34), and pestilence (Ge 41.31), and in 1Ki 12.4 Jeroboam and the assembly of Israel complain to Rehoboam about the “heavy yoke” which his fathers (David and Solomon) imposed upon them.

So often the writings of Paul are scrutinized by scholars and theologians because his prose is so complex, his argumentation so well structured. However, it is important to always remember that Paul was a Pharisee (Phil 3.5-6) and Jew above all else, a fact which the religious philosophers and theologians can sometimes forget. It is verses like 2Cor 4.17 which show just how much he remained in touch with his Jewish roots.

When Paul talks about an “eternal weight of glory” he is using a play on words, purposely mixing the various nuances of the ideas of “heaviness” and “glory” as encountered in the Old Testament. Paul knew his Hebrew well and this verse shows that he is not above using it to form witty puns for his audience. What’s more is that he calls those stresses and burdens one has to endure on earth a “momentary, light affliction.” I don’t know about you but some of the things I’ve had to wrestle through in my own life did not seem “momentary” nor “light.” But Paul’s point is clear in that no matter what you are going through here on earth, the promise of heaven and the inheritance waiting for us there makes everything one could possibly experience on earth a “momentary, light affliction” by comparison.

I share these thoughts about these two verses because they have given and continue to give me great encouragement and comfort when times get rough. I hope and pray that they will be the same for you.