Never Give Up

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (KJV)

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul communicates to the Christians in Corinth that God comforts those who serve and suffer for the cause of Christ. Although service in the kingdom may be marked by difficulty, trauma, hardship, and persecution, believers must not lose hope because God is both their comfort and their strength.

The message found in verses 16–18 reiterates what Paul stated earlier in verse 1:

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.”

The key phrase is “faint not.” Paul is reminding Christians not to grow weary, lose heart, or give up in their service to God. In verse 16, Paul reminds the reader that although the outward man our physical body and humanity is gradually fading and will eventually die because of the effects of sin in this world, there is hope in the inward man. While our bodies grow weaker, our spirits can grow stronger. As Christians, we are continually being renewed spiritually.

Paul expresses this same truth in Colossians 3:9–10:

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

The word “renewed” comes from the Greek word anakainoō, meaning to make new again, renovate, or restore. Through God’s power and the work of the Holy Spirit, the Christian is continually renewed and transformed. This daily renewal should encourage us never to quit, regardless of the challenges we face.

In verse 17, Paul acknowledges that believers may experience affliction because of their commitment to Christ. Yet he describes these hardships as “light affliction” and “but for a moment.” This does not mean suffering is insignificant; rather, it means that when compared to eternity, even our greatest trials are temporary. The sufferings of this life are preparing us for a glory that is beyond comparison and will last forever.

Therefore, our focus should not be fixed on our earthly circumstances, troubles, and disappointments, all of which are temporary. Instead, our attention should be directed toward God and the eternal realities that cannot be seen with physical eyes. Paul summarizes this truth in verse 18:

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

The things we see our struggles, pain, aging bodies, financial concerns, and earthly trials will all pass away. But the things we cannot see God’s promises, His presence, our salvation, and our eternal home will last forever.

Church, whatever burden you are carrying today, do not surrender to discouragement. Your trials are temporary, but God’s promises are eternal. Your body may grow weaker, but your spirit can grow stronger every day. Keep your eyes on Christ, keep your hands on the plow, and keep pressing toward the prize.

Never give up. Never lose heart. Never quit serving God. The best is yet to come, because eternity is far greater than anything we must endure on this side of heaven.