English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 4:18
18as 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Context of 2 Corinthians 4:18
16So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 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.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 42 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
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:18
- 2 Corinthians 5:7for we walk by faith, not by sight.
- Romans 8:24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
- Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
- Hebrews 12:2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Matthew 25:46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
- Leviticus 16:25And the fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
- 1 John 2:16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from 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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
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