SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:18
no mirando nosotros a lo que se ve, sino a lo que no se ve; porque lo que se ve, temporal es; mas lo que no se ve, eterno.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:18
Verse 18. While we look not at the things which are seen] mh skopountwn. While we aim not at the things which are seen; do not make them our object; are not striving to obtain them; for they are not worthy the pursuit of an immortal spirit, because they are seen; they are objects to which the natural eye can reach; and they are proskaira, temporary; they are to have a short duration, and must have an end. But the things which we make our scope and aim are not seen; they are spiritual, and therefore invisible to the eye of the body; and besides, they are aiwnia, eternal-things that are permanent; that can have no end; they are things which belong to God; holiness, happiness, and the endless communication and fruition of himself. But we must remark that the light afflictions work out this far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory only to those who do not look at the things which are seen. A man may be grievously afflicted, and yet have his eye bent on temporal good; from his afflictions he can derive no benefit; though many think that their glorification must be a necessary consequence of their afflictions, and hence we do not unfrequently hear among the afflicted poor, "Well, we shall not suffer both here and in the other world too." Afflictions may be means of preparing us for glory, if, during them, we receive grace to save the soul; but afflictions of themselves have no spiritual nor saving tendency; on the contrary, they sour the unregenerated mind, and cause murmurings against the dispensations of Divine Providence. Let us, therefore, look to God, that they may be sanctified; and when they are, then we may say exultingly, These light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. O world to come, in exchange for the present! O eternity, for a moment! O eternal communion in the holy, blessed, and eternal life of God, for the sacrifice of a poor, miserable, and corrupted life here on earth! Whoever sets no value on this seed of a blessed eternity knows not what it comprehends. That which the eyes of the flesh are capable of perceiving is not worthy of a soul capable of possessing God. Nothing which is of a perishable nature can be the chief good of a being that was made for eternity!- Quesnel.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. While we look not at the things which are seen , etc..] These are the things of this world, such as riches, honours, pleasures, profits, etc.. which are visible to, and strike the senses of a natural man, and are temporal, endure but for a time, are transitory, fleeting, and quickly gone.
To look at these things is to desire them, set the affections on them, and to make the enjoyment of them a man's chief scope and aim; and when this is the case, afflictions cannot be said to work for such, or to work them for an eternal weight of glory; but when believers have their eyes and hearts taken off of these things, they either look not at them, or with contempt upon them; while, and when they are in such frames of soul, afflictions are operating for their future good. Or by these things that are seen may be meant afflictions themselves, the cross, with all that belongs to it; which also are discernible by the outward senses, and are but for a time. Now a believer is not to stand looking and poring upon his afflictions; for while he does so, they work impatience, murmurings, repinings, unbelief, etc.. but when and while he looks off of these to Christ, and to what he has done and suffered, and to the glories of another world, and to the recompense of reward, he not only finds himself supported under his present afflictions, which he does not so overlook as to despise; but he also finds his heart seeking after, and his affections set upon, and his faith, hope, and expectation raised in the views of things above, where Christ is: and so he is kept looking at the things which are not seen ; by the corporeal eye, nor by the eye of carnal sense and reason; only by the eye of faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen: and these things, the joys and glories of heaven, are eternal; will last for ever, will never end; all which is great encouragement to faith and patience under the present afflictive dispensations of Providence.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-18 - The grace of faith is an effectual remedy against fainting in times of trouble. They knew that Christ was raised, and that his resurrectio was an earnest and assurance of theirs. The hope of this resurrectio will encourage in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death Also, their sufferings were for the advantage of the church, and to God's glory. The sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as their preaching and conversation, are for the good of the church and the glory of God. The prospect of eternal life and happiness was their support and comfort. What sense was ready to pronounce heavy and long grievous and tedious, faith perceived to be light and short, and but for a moment. The weight of all temporal afflictions was lightnes itself, while the glory to come was a substance, weighty, and lastin beyond description. If the apostle could call his heavy an long-continued trials light, and but for a moment, what must ou trifling difficulties be! Faith enables to make this right judgment of things. There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. An there is this vast difference between them; unseen things are eternal seen things but temporal, or temporary only. Let us then look off from the things which are seen; let us cease to seek for worldly advantages or to fear present distresses. Let us give diligence to make our futur happiness sure __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
μη 3361 PRT-N σκοπουντων 4648 5723 V-PAP-GPM ημων 2257 P-1GP τα 3588 T-APN βλεπομενα 991 5746 V-PPP-APN αλλα 235 CONJ τα 3588 T-APN μη 3361 PRT-N βλεπομενα 991 5746 V-PPP-APN τα 3588 T-NPN γαρ 1063 CONJ βλεπομενα 991 5746 V-PPP-NPN προσκαιρα 4340 A-NPN τα 3588 T-NPN δε 1161 CONJ μη 3361 PRT-N βλεπομενα 991 5746 V-PPP-NPN αιωνια 166 A-NPN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
18. Seen - not seen. Compare the beautiful passage in Plato's "Phaedo," 79.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:18 {While we look not} (me skopountwn hemwn). Genitive absolute with participle of skopew from skopos, goal. {Temporal} (proskaira). Rather temporary, for a season (pros kairon). Late word. See on Mt 13:21. See #1Co 13:12; Heb 11:1.
