2 Corinthians 4:18
What does 2 Corinthians 4:18 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 4:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 4:18 means
Paul concludes by describing the gaze that sustains endurance: looking not at visible things, which are temporary, but at invisible realities, which are eternal. Faith fixes attention on what God has promised, not on the shifting scene of present trials. This is not escapism; it is clarity about permanence. The unseen includes God’s presence, Christ’s reign, and the coming glory. By training the eyes of the heart on what lasts, believers interpret suffering rightly and persevere with hope. The verse gathers the chapter’s themes—mercy, integrity, weakness, divine power, renewal, and glory—into a single directive about where to set our sight.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000while 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
King James Version · 1611While 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
American Standard Version · 1901while 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949While our minds are not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are for a time; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862we not looking to the things seen, but to the things not seen; for the things seen <FI>are<Fi> temporary, but the things not seen <FI>are<Fi> age-during.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752While 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen [are] for a time, but those that are not seen eternal.
Context
Culminating the argument of verses 16–17, this final verse explains the practical means of not losing heart: adopt an eternal perspective. It ties back to the unveiling and illumination themes (verses 3–6): true sight sees Christ’s glory and the realities God reveals. With this closing exhortation, the chapter completes its arc—from mercy-fueled ministry, through honest suffering, to confident hope grounded in the eternal, unseen world that God makes known in Jesus Christ.
v.17For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
v.18This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
- Hebrews 11:25
choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
- Romans 8:24
For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
(for we walk by faith, not by sight);
- Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
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