Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:7

What does 2 Corinthians 5:7 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 5:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 5:7 means

Paul briefly explains the operating principle of Christian life: “we walk by faith, not by sight.” Faith trusts God’s promises about unseen realities—the coming resurrection, the heavenly home, the Lord’s presence—rather than judging by what is immediately visible. This does not reject reason or facts; it submits perception to God’s revelation. Walking by faith sustains courage in the gap between promise and fulfillment. It frees believers from being ruled by changing circumstances or bodily decline. The verse is a parenthesis, but it is vital: everything Paul says about courage, longing, and preference rests on a life lived toward God’s trustworthy word rather than present appearance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

(for we walk by faith, not by sight);

KJV

King James Version · 1611

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

(for we walk by faith, not by sight);

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

(For we are walking by faith, not by seeing,)

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for through faith we walk, not through sight--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

(For we walk by faith and not by sight.)

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

(for we walk by faith, not by sight;)

Context

Inserted as an explanation of verse 6, this statement grounds the courage to live while away from the Lord. It clarifies why believers can name their present absence and still be confident. Verses 6–8 thus hang together: awareness of absence (v. 6), the principle of faith (v. 7), and the resulting preference to be with the Lord (v. 8). With this framework in place, Paul will turn to aim and accountability in verses 9–10.

v.6Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord

v.7This passage

v.8we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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.

  • Hebrews 10:38

    But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:12

    For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

  • 1 Peter 5:9

    whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.

  • 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?

  • 1 Peter 1:8

    whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

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