2 Corinthians 4:18

2 Corinthians 4:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
• English Standard Version (ESV)as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
• New King James Version (NKJV)while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Context of 2 Corinthians 4:18

16Wherefore we faint not; but if indeed our outward man is consumed, yet the inward is renewed day by day. 17For our momentary [and] light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen [are] for a time, but those that are not seen eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18 word by word

μὴ σκοπούντων ἡμῶν τὰ βλεπόμενα ἀλλὰ τὰ μὴ βλεπόμενα· τὰ γὰρ βλεπόμενα πρόσκαιρα, τὰ δὲ μὴ βλεπόμενα αἰώνια.¶Read the interlinear

• lookβλέπωblepō · to seeG991
• eternalαἰώνιοςaiōnios · eternalG166

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:18

• 2 Corinthians 5:7(for we walk by faith, not by sight;)
• Romans 8:24For we have been saved in hope; but hope seen is not hope; for what any one sees, why does he also hope?
• Hebrews 11:1Now faith is [the] substantiating of things hoped for, [the] conviction of things not seen.
• Hebrews 12:2looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured [the] cross, having despised [the] shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into eternal punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.
• Leviticus 16:25And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:16But our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us, and given [us] eternal consolation and good hope by grace,
• 1 John 2:16because all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18While we look not at the things which are seen - . While we aim not at the things which are seen; do not make them our object; are not striving to obtain them; for they are not worthy the pursuit of an immortal spirit, because they are seen; they are objects to which the natural eye can reach; and they are , temporary; they are to have a short duration, and must have an end. But the things which we make our scope and aim are not seen; they are spiritual…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18While we look … - Or, rather, we not looking at the things which are seen. The design of this is, to show in what way the afflictions which they endured became in their view light and momentary. It was by looking to the glories of the future world, and thus turning away the attention from the trials and sorrows of this life. If we look directly at our trials; if the mind is fixed wholly on them, and we think of nothing else, they often appear heavy and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 The grace of faith is an effectual remedy against fainting in times of trouble. They knew that Christ was raised, and that his resurrection was an earnest and assurance of theirs. The hope of this resurrection will encourage in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death. Also, their sufferings were for the advantage of the church, and to God's glory. The sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as their preaching and conversation…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18If we focus on our current problems, we may feel weak. However, when we view our lives in the context of eternity, we understand that our problems will soon disappear.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. look not at--as our aim. things ... seen--"earthly things" (Php 3:19). We mind not the things seen, whether affliction or refreshment come, so as to be seduced by the latter, or deterred by the former [Chrysostom]. things ... not seen--not "the invisible things" of Ro 1:20, but the things which, though not seen now, shall be so hereafter. temporal--rather, "for a time"; in contrast to eternal. English Version uses "temporal" for temporary. The Greek…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 4:18

• Assurance
• Faith
• Suffering
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Afflictions
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Craftiness
• Despair
• Dishonesty
• Distress
• Heaven
• Light
• Temporal
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings