This couplet is found in 2 Corinthians 4:1616For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” Paul is speaking about what sustains the minister in the path of service and testimony. He and his co-workers were being continually subjected to the dangers of persecution. They lived but a step from death at any moment. Naturally, this was wearying as it went on day after day, but he explains that they were sustained by God in those trying circumstances.
THE OUTWARD MAN
Paul puts the renewal of the “inward man” in contrast to the perishing of the “outward man.” The outward man is a term that he uses to denote our physical bodies. They are slowly perishing because they are mortal and have been affected by sin. Age, pain, the rigours of persecution, tribulation, and labour, wear away our bodies—the “outward man.” But the Apostle tells us that he had something greater to look forward to—the glory—and so do we.
THE INWARD MAN
If the “outward man” refers to our physical bodies, the “inward man” would be our souls and spirits (vs. 16; Rom. 7:2222For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (Romans 7:22); Eph. 4:1616From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)). Our bodies can be renewed in a measure by food and sleep, but even this is a losing battle. If the Lord does not come in our lifetime, our bodies will eventually succumb to a complete breakdown in death. On the other hand, the “inward man” is renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit through communion with divine Persons. Prayer and the Word of God are the vehicles that God uses to rejuvenate the “inward man.”
As we continue in the path, our bodies will get weaker as we get older, but the “inward man”—the soul and spirit—will get stronger, if we walk with the Lord. On one hand we have our “affliction” of perishing bodies and on the other hand we have the “glory.” It is striking that Paul speaks of our affliction as being “light” and the glory as a “weight.” This is an intended contrast. At times we may have thought that our affliction was very heavy indeed, but in comparison to the weight of glory, it is not much at all. Elsewhere Paul said, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in [to] us” (Rom. 8:1818For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)).
Some Practical Considerations
First—The Daily Renewal of Our Souls Through Prayer and Meditation in the Word
(Vs. 16)
If Paul and his co-workers neglected the importance of this daily renewal of the souls, they would not have been able to keep going in the path of service. They are not alone; if we neglect a daily renewal of our souls we will not be able to carry on either. If we do not have this in our lives, we are going to lapse back into the world. It is the believer’s spiritual lifeline.
Second—Knowing that the Afflictions and Hardships We Endure in the Path Are Working For Our Eternal Profit
(Vs. 17)
The afflictions we experience in the path are being used of God to break down the will of the flesh and to teach us submission to His divine will. Trials taken from the hand of God, in a right spirit, will form something profitable in us for eternity. We ought to prize that and be willing for everything the Lord allows in our lives in the way of affliction. The rewards that the Lord gives at His judgment seat are for the kingdom, but capacity, which is presently being formed in the saints, will be taken on into eternity (Luke 10:4242But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42); 2 Cor. 4:1717For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:17)).
Third—Keeping Our Eye Fixed on Invisible Things That Are Eternal
(Vs. 18)
To the man of the world this is nonsense. He asks, “How can anyone look at invisible things?” But it is with the eyes of our hearts that we look at those things. Scripture says that faith sees unseen things (Heb. 11:11Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)). If our eyes get off the eternal goal before us, and look at the things of the world, we will surely faint by the way. But if eternal things have a place in our daily lives, we will “faint not.”