2 Corinthians 4:18

2 Corinthians 4:18

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.

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. YLT: We not looking to the things seen, but to the things not seen; for the things seen are temporary, but the things not seen are age-during.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

e. Worrell Translation: 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 temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

f. Wuest Translation: While we are not contemplating the things that are seen but the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

1. “While we look not at the things which are seen…”

a. While…look…at [Strong: 4648 skopeo skop-eh'-o from 4649; to take aim at (spy), i.e. (figuratively) regard:--consider, take heed, look at (on), mark.]

1). The “look” is more than the physical eyes, there is a consideration, a taking heed about. Wuest reads it as “contemplating”. What we are considering, what we are contemplating is what God’s word says about these things. Yes the world we live in is physical, but God’s word is the final authority.

b. we [Strong: 2257  hemon hay-mone' genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.]

c. not [Strong: 3361 me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

d. the things [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

e. [which are] seen [Strong: 991 blepo blep'-o a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.] [Bullinger: to look, see, have the power of sight applied to mental vision or consideration, to consider, to take to heart, employed to express a more intent, earnest spiritual contemplation.]

2. “…but at the things which are not seen…”

a. but [Strong: 235 alla al-lah' neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. [at] the [things] [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. not [Strong: 3361 me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

d. seen [Strong: 991 blepo blep'-o a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.] [Bullinger: to look, see, have the power of sight applied to mental vision or consideration, to consider, to take to heart, employed to express a more intent, earnest spiritual contemplation.]

1). Jesus taught this very principle to believers about how we are to live.

a). Mark 4:23-25 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

b). The Greek word for “take heed” is the same Greek word used in Paul’s exhortation for believers to look at the things which are not “seen”. We as believers are to contemplate, to consider what God’s word says about everything as the final authority in our lives.

c). 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2). Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

3. “…for the things which are seen are temporal…”

a. for [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. the things [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. [which are] seen [Strong: 991 blepo blep'-o a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.] [Bullinger: to look, see, have the power of sight applied to mental vision or consideration, to consider, to take to heart, employed to express a more intent, earnest spiritual contemplation.]

d. are temporal [Strong: 4340 proskairos pros'-kahee-ros from 4314 and 2540; for the occasion only, i.e. temporary:--dur-(eth) for awhile, endure for a time, for a season, temporal.]

1). Life is swift and temporary.

a). James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

b). Job 7:6, 7  My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

7:7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

4. “…but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

a. but [Strong: 1161 de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. the things [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. not [Strong: 3361 me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

d. are eternal [Strong: 166 aionios ahee-o'-nee-os from 165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):--eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).]

1). The things which are not seen are the spiritual things, such as the eternal power and the Godhead.

a). Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: