The Greek noun baros refers to weight or burden — both literal heaviness and the figurative burden of obligations, hardships, or sins. It appears in the New Testament in contexts ranging from the heavy heat of the day (Matthew 20:12), to the weight of sin (Galatians 6:2), to the 'eternal weight of glory' (2 Corinthians 4:17). This last use transforms the word from burden to breathtaking hope.
Paul's phrase 'an eternal weight of glory' (2 Corinthians 4:17) deliberately plays on baros: our current light and momentary troubles are incomparably outweighed by glory. This is the Christian's framework for suffering — not denial, but eschatological perspective. Additionally, 'bear one another's burdens' (Galatians 6:2) calls the church to practical love that lightens one another's load.