ἐλαφρός

From the study of 2 Corinthians 4:17

Range of meaning

Elaphros: light in weight, easy to carry, nimble. Baros: weight, heaviness, burden. Figuratively baros can mean importance, dignity or authority (compare 1 Thessalonians 2:7, where apostles could have 'stood on their weight', meaning their dignity).

Against the English

KJV, BSB, ESV and NASB keep both 'light' and 'weight', so the balance-scale picture stays intact. NIV and NLT drop the noun 'weight' and turn it into a verb ('outweighs'). The idea of comparison survives, but glory is no longer described as something heavy in itself.

Used elsewhere in the period

Elaphros elsewhere in the New Testament only in Matthew 11:30 ('my burden is light'). In 2 Corinthians 1:8 Paul says that in Asia 'we were burdened (ebarēthēmen, from the same root as baros) beyond measure (kath' hyperbolēn)'. 4:17 repeats both ideas and swaps them: now the affliction is the light thing and the glory is the excessive weight.

From the study of Matthew 11:30

Range of meaning

Light in weight. Figuratively: easy to bear, slight, insignificant. The related noun elaphria means lightness or fickleness (2 Cor 1:17).

Against the English

'Light' is accurate. English loses the deliberate contrast with Matthew's 'heavy' (barys) loads in 23:4, and with the 'weightier matters (ta barytera) of the law' in 23:23. Those weightier matters are justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Used elsewhere in the period

2 Cor 4:17: 'this light (elaphron) momentary affliction', set against an 'eternal weight (baros) of glory'. In Greek generally it describes light armour, light-footed movement and light loads.