Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

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.

KJV

μὴ σκοπούντων ἡμῶν τὰ βλεπόμενα ἀλλὰ τὰ μὴ βλεπόμενα· τὰ γὰρ βλεπόμενα πρόσκαιρα, τὰ δὲ μὴ βλεπόμενα αἰώνια.

Greek NT

non contemplantibus nobis quæ videntur, sed quæ non videntur. Quæ enim videntur, temporalia sunt : quæ autem non videntur, æterna sunt.

Vulgate

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.

ASV

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.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

10 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

αἰώνιος
aionios
adjective · 70×
βλέπω
blepo
verb · 132×
γάρ
gar
conjunction · 1036×
δέ
de
conjunction · 2781×
μή
me
particle · 1033×
πρόσκαιρος
proskairos
adjective · 4×
σκοπέω
skopeo
verb · 6×
ἀλλά
alla
conjunction · 636×
ἡμεῖς
emeis
pronoun · 862×
ὁ
o
article · 19778×

Historic Christian voices

8 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

1. There is nothing worse, nothing more shameful, than gluttony; it makes the mind gross, and the soul carnal; it blinds, and permits not to see clearly. Observe, for instance, how this is the case with the Jews; for because they were intent upon gluttony, entirely occupied with worldly things, and without any spiritual thoughts, though Christ leads them on by ten thousand sayi…
1. It was probable that many of those who were more weakly would especially distrust the promises of Christ because He had died. Paul accordingly out of a superabundance introduced this illustration, deriving it from common custom. Of what kind is it? He says, indeed, on this very account we ought to be of good courage. On what account? Because testaments are established and ob…
1. In another place he says the same, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Corinthians 4:18; and from this makes an exhortation with regard to the evils which we endure in this present life; and here he does this, and says, let us continue steadfast; let us have thankfulness, i.e., let us give thanks unto God. For not only …
1. Concerning Those Who Asked Him to Show Them a Sign from Heaven. And the Sadducees and Pharisees came, and tempting Him kept asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. Matthew 16:1 The Sadducees and Pharisees who disagreed with each other in regard to the most essential truths, — for the Pharisees champion the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, hoping that there will …
1. Relation of the Baptist to Elijah. The Theory of Transmigration Considered. The disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? Matthew 17:10 The disciples indeed who went up with Jesus remembered the traditions of the scribes concerning Elijah, that before the advent of Christ, Elijah would come and prepare for Him the souls of those who w…
Is prayer an act of the appetitive or of the cognitive power? Is it fitting to pray to God? Is prayer an act of religion? Should we pray to God alone? Should we ask for something definite when we pray? Should we ask for temporal things when we pray? Should we pray for others? Should we pray for our enemies? The seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer Is prayer proper to the ration…

Cross-references

  • 1Cor 6:2 — Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
  • 1John 2:16 — For 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.
  • 1John 2:25 — And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
  • 1Pet 1:8 — Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
  • 2Cor 5:7 — (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
  • 2Cor 5:7 — (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
  • 2Thess 2:16 — Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
  • Col 3:1 — If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
  • Heb 11:1 — Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
  • Heb 11:1 — Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
  • Heb 11:13 — These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the eart
  • Heb 11:14 — For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
  • Heb 11:25 — Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
  • Heb 11:27 — By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
  • Heb 12:2 — Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • Isa 33:17 — Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
  • John 6:27 — Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
  • Matt 6:21 — For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
  • Matt 25:46 — And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
  • Phil 3:20 — For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
  • Rom 8:24 — For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
  • Rom 8:24 — For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?