2 Corinthians 4 18

2 Corinthians 4:18 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.

2 Corinthians 4:18 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.

2 Corinthians 4:18 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.

2 Corinthians 4:18 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.

2 Corinthians 4:18 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.

2 Corinthians 4 verses

2 Corinthians 4 18 Meaning

This verse instructs believers to prioritize spiritual, eternal realities over physical, temporary circumstances. It advocates for an intentional shift in focus: from the observable, fleeting troubles and allurements of this world to the unseen, lasting truths and promises of God’s kingdom. This perspective provides hope and strength amidst suffering, as the present struggles, while real, are brief, while the future glory is immeasurable and everlasting.

2 Corinthians 4 18 Context

This verse serves as the concluding summary of Paul’s profound encouragement to the Corinthians regarding the nature of his apostolic ministry and the reality of Christian suffering. Throughout 2 Corinthians 4, Paul contrasts the outward weakness and affliction he and his fellow ministers experience (v. 7-12, "treasure in jars of clay") with the divine power at work within them (v. 7). He explains that these severe trials are not a sign of God's absence but are precisely how Christ's life is revealed in them (v. 10-11). Just before verse 18, in verses 16-17, Paul directly states that believers "do not lose heart" because "though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day," and "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Thus, 2 Corinthians 4:18 provides the essential principle, the guiding perspective that allows believers to endure temporal suffering and maintain hope: fixing their attention on what truly matters in the ultimate sense. The original audience in Corinth faced cultural pressures and suffering, understanding the contrast between their immediate earthly challenges and Paul's exhortation to embrace eternal spiritual truths as paramount. This provided solace and strengthened their resolve against prevailing secular or worldly-minded philosophies that prized visible success and comfort.

2 Corinthians 4 18 Word analysis

• So we fix our eyes (σκοπούντων – skopountōn): This is a present active participle, implying a continuous, deliberate, and purposeful action. It's not a casual glance but a steady, focused gaze, like an archer aiming at a target or a sentinel keeping watch. It suggests an intense and persistent mental and spiritual discipline, a conscious decision to direct one's attention.
• not on what is seen (βλεπόμενα – blepomena): This refers to the visible, physical world and all its observable phenomena: possessions, earthly accomplishments, suffering, trials, outward appearances, and temporal circumstances. Paul does not suggest these things are evil in themselves, but they are not where our ultimate hope or focus should reside.
• but on what is unseen (μὴ βλεπόμενα – mē blepomena): This refers to spiritual realities that are imperceptible to the natural senses: God, His promises, heavenly glory, the spiritual blessings in Christ, the inner transformation of the believer, future resurrection, and the eternal kingdom. This is not about denying physical reality, but understanding that true, ultimate reality extends beyond the merely observable.
• since (γὰρ – gar): This conjunction introduces the reason or logical justification for the preceding instruction. It signals that what follows explains why we should fix our eyes on the unseen.
• what is seen (βλεπόμενα – blepomena): Repeats the earlier reference to the visible world.
• is temporary (πρόσκαιρα – proskaira): Derived from pros (to/for) and kairos (a season, a fixed or appointed time). It means "for a season," "temporary," "brief," "fleeting," "transitory." It stresses the finite and transient nature of all physical things and experiences, especially worldly troubles and pleasures.
• but (δὲ – de): Introduces a strong contrast.
• what is unseen (μὴ βλεπόμενα – mē blepomena): Repeats the reference to spiritual realities.
• is eternal (αἰώνια – aiōnia): This word carries immense theological weight. It denotes not merely endless duration, but also a qualitative sense of belonging to God’s nature, to eternity, transcending temporal limitations. It speaks of divine origin, permanence, and unchangeable quality, as opposed to mere earthly duration. It encompasses the entirety of God's timeless realm and purpose.

• "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen": This phrase highlights a fundamental call to an eternal perspective. It's an act of faith, requiring a deliberate choice to shift focus from the immediate and often troubling external world to the invisible, spiritual realm of God's truth and promises. This implies a transformation of thought (Rom 12:2), where external circumstances no longer dictate inner peace or purpose. It's a reorientation of one's entire being.
• "what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal": This forms the crucial rationale and antithesis of the verse. It underscores the profound difference in the nature of these two categories of reality. "Temporary" (proskaira) implies brevity, ephemerality, and limited influence, encapsulating all earthly pain, pleasure, and possessions. "Eternal" (aiōnia), conversely, speaks of limitless duration, transcendent quality, and ultimate significance, encompassing God's unfailing love, truth, and promises, along with the believer's inheritance and future glory. This contrast offers profound encouragement, knowing that present sufferings have a defined end, while future rewards are unending.

2 Corinthians 4 18 Bonus section

This verse subtly polemicizes against any worldview, then or now, that elevates material prosperity, visible success, or immediate comfort as the ultimate good or definitive marker of divine favor. In ancient Greco-Roman culture, visible strength, wealth, and honor were highly prized, often associated with divine blessings. Paul, however, champions a radical reversal of values, aligning suffering and weakness (visible, temporary) with the pathway to glory and eternal strength (unseen, eternal). The distinction between "temporary" (proskaira) and "eternal" (aiōnia) also implies a profound theological anthropology. It posits that human beings are created not for a mere temporal existence, but with an inherent capacity and longing for the eternal, finding ultimate fulfillment only when aligned with God's imperceptible, eternal realities. This perspective is foundational to Christian eschatology, offering hope that the brokenness and limitations of the current age will eventually give way to a new heaven and new earth where the unseen realities of God's presence and kingdom will be fully manifest.

2 Corinthians 4 18 Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:18 acts as the climactic statement of Paul's profound theological reflections on suffering and the nature of Christian ministry. It calls believers to cultivate a dual vision: an honest acknowledgment of the seen (present troubles, physical decay) tempered by an unwavering apprehension of the unseen (spiritual truths, future glory). The choice to "fix our eyes" implies a deliberate, ongoing, and faith-driven orientation away from the superficiality and transience of earthly things. This perspective is not a denial of suffering, but rather an understanding that the weight and pain of visible hardships are intrinsically "light and momentary" (v. 17) when weighed against the "eternal weight of glory." This verse underpins the Christian capacity for endurance and hope, asserting that our spiritual sustenance and ultimate joy come not from fleeting visible realities but from the steadfast, immeasurable realities of God. It encourages a life lived for the everlasting, making wise choices that align with eternal values rather than temporal gratification. For example, enduring an unjust situation with grace, knowing vindication and reward are from an eternal God, or investing in relationships and spiritual growth over material accumulation, recognizing their lasting value.