The Nugget:
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.
Here is a statement penned by the Apostle Paul to help us focus on what really matters in life. We focus on the unseen things which are eternal. I suspect the temptation is very strong to ignore or put off looking at the things which are not seen. I believe that studying the Bible is one effective way to look at eternal realities. I suspect that this statement by Paul reflects his experience of seeing the heavenly eternal realities when he visited the third heaven as described in 2 Corinthians 12:3-4. While there he heard unspeakable words, “which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Yet I think there is an interesting pattern in Paul’s letters that may give hints about what he heard. The very next verse in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:1 and following verses may be an example.
For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:
(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1334 for 2 Corinthians 4:18.
(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1355 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 2 Corinthians 4:18.
(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:
2 Corinthians 4:18. look not. Gr. skopeō (S#4648g, Lk 11:35). 2 C **5:7. Mt 4:8. Ro 8:18, 24, 25. 1 C 6:2. Ph 3:20. Col 3:1. He *11:1, 14, 25-27. *12:2, 3. but at. FS31, Is +1:21. not seen. Is 33:17. Ph 3:14. He +*11:13, 27. 13:14. 1 P 1:8. for. Ps 94:13. Mt 6:21. +*25:46. Lk 16:25, 26. 2 Th 2:16. 1 J *2:16, 17, 25. temporal. or, temporary, for a season. Gr. proskairos (S#4340g). Mt 13:21g. Mk 4:17g. Jn *6:27. He 11:25g. but the. FS31, Is +1:21. eternal. Gr. aionios, Mt +18:8. Is 51:11. Lk 16:9. 1 J *2:17.
2 co 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.
blessings from other scriptures on this verse!
1. 2 co 5. 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight:
2. ro 8.24-25 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?
3. ro 8.25 but if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait
for it.
4. heb 11.1 now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.
5. heb 11.25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of god, than
to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; vs 26 esteeming the reproach of
christ greater riches than the treasures in egypt: for he had respect unto the
recompense of the reward.
6. heb 12. 2-3 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. vs 3 for consider him that
endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and
faint in your minds.
7. mt 25.46 and these shall go away unto everlasting punishment: but the righteous
into life eternal.
8. lk 16.25-26 but abraham said, son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst
thy good things, and likewise lazarus evil things,
but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. vs 26 and beside all this, between
us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to
you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
9. 1 jn 2.15-17 love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. if any
man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. vs 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. vs 17 and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof;
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
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