In bible hermeneutics, it is wrong to give a blanket meaning to any word one seeks to explain. In the Greek language for example, a word could have different meanings in the Greek lexicon. Thus, the contexual usage of words is very key. Also, a text cannot stand in isolation. It is wrong to detach a text from other texts that seek to explain such text. It is wrong to give assumptions to the meaning of a bible text. This is because the bible itself has its own thoughts. Giving assumptions to bible texts causes a defilement to such text. It is NOT ALLOWED to impute one’s own thoughts or preconceived notions to a bible text. Doing such would profane such texts.
In this article, we proceed to undergo a thorough exegesis on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 to find out what Paul meant by the things that are ‘seen’ and ‘unseen’. (All passages quoted, expect where otherwise stated, are from the NKJV Translation of the Holy Bible).
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The word ‘therefore’ connotes that a conclusion was being made by Paul in this verse. We need to check through the antecedent texts to know what the subject of discourse was.
2 Corinthians 4:5-6
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ which he preached which he called the ‘truth’ in the antecedent texts.
2 Corinthians 4:2
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Paul was saying that he showed the word of God just as it is, and has not handled the truth of God with deceit.
The word ‘handling’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘δολόω’ (doloō) which means ‘to adulterate’, ‘to corrupt’. The same word was used for translated as ‘deceitfully’ here.
The word was occurred only in this verse in the entire bible:
2 Corinthians 4:7-8
7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are HARD-PRESSED on every side, yet not crushed; we are PERPLEXED, but not in despair;
Paul wrote concerning the sufferings faced by himself and his fellow ministers for the Gospel’s sake. Jesus Christ spoke to his disciples about this while he was amongst them.
John 15:20-21
20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
Jesus told his disciples beforehand about how they would be persecuted for His name sake. The word ‘persecute’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘διώκω’ (diōkō) which means ‘to suffer’.
The same was used by Jesus in Luke 21:12-13
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and PERSECUTE you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
Jesus Christ told his disciples concerning their persecution which would come after His death, burial and resurrection in order to prepare them.
Paul also persecuted the church before his conversion.
Acts 26:9-11
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Paul punished the saints often in the Synagogue. He persecuted the church. He told this account to Agrippa when the Jews sought to kill him for declaring the Gospel all through the cities.
Back to 2 Corinthians 4:8
‘…hard-pressed on every side yet not crushed…’
The word ‘hard-pressed’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘θλίβω’ (thlibō) which means ‘to suffer tribulation’. Paul wrote about this in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
The word ‘tribulation’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘θλίψις’ (thlipsis) which means ‘affliction’, ‘persecution’.
Paul suffered for the gospel’s sake.
Verse 5
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
Paul was almost killed because of the Gospel which he preached. He urged the church at Corinth to pray for him concerning his persecution.
2 Corinthians 4:9-10
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
‘…but not forsaken…’
Paul was saved from death in Asia by God. He was not forsaken by God. God delivered him from the hands of those who sought to kill him. The word ‘forsaken’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘ἐγκαταλείπω’ (egkataleipō) which means ‘to leave’, ‘to desert’. Paul was not deserted by God in the face of persecution.
Verses 11-12
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
Paul who found life in Christ was dying in the flesh for Jesus’ sake in order to show forth the life of God. He died in flesh ALWAYS (was continually in physical harm and danger) for the sake of the Gospel. This means that he was scourged and beaten frequently in his mortal body when he preached the Gospel, but he did not stop.
‘…delivered to death…’
The word ‘delivered’ as used here (vs. 11) was translated from the Greek word ‘παραδίδωμι’ (paradidōmi) which means ‘to surrrender’, ‘to give up’.
The word ‘manifested’ as used here (vs. 11) was translated from the Greek word ‘φανερόω’ (phaneroō) which means ‘to declare’, ‘to render apparent’, ‘to show forth’.
Paul was given up to dying in the flesh in order to show Jesus’ life in his mortal body.
The word ‘mortal’ as used here (vs. 11) was translated from the Greek word ‘θνητός’ (thnētos) which means ‘liable to die’. Though, physical death was working in Paul’s body, he was ministering the Gospel which is life to those who believe in it.
2 Corinthians 4:13
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Paul then starts talking about the resurrection in vs. 14:
‘…knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus…’
2 Corinthians 4:16
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
‘The outward man’ in context would refer to the mortal body, flowing from the antecedent texts. This means that the mortal body would still die. The inward man here would refer to the heart which is continually renewed by faith in God’s promises.
The word ‘perishing’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘διαφθείρω’ (diaphtheirō) which means ‘to decay’, ‘to ruin’. The mortal body would decay in death!
2 Corinthians 4:17
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
‘…but for a moment…’
This phrase as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘παραυτίκα’ (parautika) which means ‘at that very instant’. The death of the body, which is for a short period of time would work for us ‘a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!
The phrase ‘is working’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘κατεργάζομαι’ (katergazomai) which means ‘to work fully’, ‘to finish, ‘to fashion’.
The phrase ‘a far’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘ὑπερβολή’ (huperbolē) which means ‘beyond’, ‘far more exceeding’. The same was used in Romans 7:13 to qualify sin, also in 1 Corinthians 12:31, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 12:7 and Galatians 1:13.
The word ‘more’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘κατά’ (kata) which means ‘beyond’, ‘out of measure’, ‘mightily more’.
The word ‘exceeding’ as used here was translated from the same word ‘ὑπερβολή’ ((huperbolē) which we have seen earlier. Paul uses the same word here. He uses this word emphatically to lay emphasis on the eternal glory he showed in the succedent texts.
2 Corinthians 4:18
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.
For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Therefore contextually, the things which are seen is the sufferings and persecutions faced by Paul and the church and the outward man that is perishing, which is the body (the flesh) as a result of the afflictions endured by it.
The word ‘temporary’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘πρόσκαιρος’ (proskairos) which means ‘for a while’, ‘for a short period of time’. Hence, the afflictions which are the things that are seen, are for a short period of time.
The succedent texts reveals the things that are unseen:
2 Corinthians 5:1-2
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven.
The earthly house in context would refer to the mortal body. This means that ‘earthly house’ as used here is figurative. However, we would be clothed with a building not made with hands by God. This house would be eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:3-4
3 If indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
‘… that mortality may be swallowed up by life…’
Jesus Christ died our death for us, and by His death we have life. At Jesus,’ Resurrection, the believers were raised with him.
Ephesians 2:5-6
5 “even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ”
The believers were raised with Christ at the resurrection and made to sit in the heavenlies with Him. His resurrection here which is our resurrection is that of the Spirit. This saved the believer from eternal death. This is the resurrection that the believers have now.
However, in 2 Corinthians 5, Paul was talking about the resurrection of the PHYSICAL body, where the bodies of believers would be given life. Jesus was raised with an incorruptible body, never to die again. The bodies of the believers are mortal. The believer in Christ does not have an incorruptible body yet. This would happen at the resurrection. The believer in Christ would be given an incorruptible body which would never die again.
Paul spoke about this.
Romans 8:10-11
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
The Spirit of God which dwells in the believers would give life to the corruptible bodies of the believers. This is what is commonly known as ‘the rapture’.
Back to 2 Corinthians 5
2 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
In context, the things that are not seen that was mentioned in the antecedent text (2 Corin. 4:18) is the glorified body we will receive at the resurrection. Paul calls it a building! This body would never fall sick, grow old or perish like the former. This building is our body at the resurrection, a glorified body. The text says that we will be “further clothed” with this building. This depicts something that would happen in the future.
When it happens, mortality that is, the ability to die, will be swallowed up by life! Peter also wrote about this!
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Peter calls it ‘an inheritance incorruptible’, it cannot be defiled again. That is the body we would receive when we are raised. The word ‘incorruptible’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘ἄφθαρτος’ (aphthartos) which means ‘undecaying’, ‘immortal’.
The word ‘undefiled’ as used here was translated from the Greek word ‘ἀμίαντος’ (amiantos) which means ‘pure’.
This body would be unable to die again! It would be pure, just like Jesus’ glorified body! This hasn’t happened yet. So, at the Resurrection, we shall be like the glorified Jesus. How this would happen is with glorified bodies forever! “Being like Him” here means that we will have His type of body when He was raised with a glorified, never growing old, sick, or die. Hence, the resurrection that would happen to the believers and the consequential glorification of their physical bodies in the future are the “unseen things” Paul spoke about in 2 Corinthians 4:18.
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2020.
