2 Corinthians 4:18

“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…”

“look not at--as our aim. things . . . seen--"earthly things" (Phi 3:19). We mind not the things seen, whether affliction or refreshment come, so as to be seduced by the latter, or deterred by the former [CHRYSOSTOM]. things . . . not seen--not "the invisible things" of Rom 1:20, but the things which, though not seen now, shall be so hereafter. temporal--rather, "for a time"; in contrast to eternal. English Version uses "temporal" for temporary. The Greek is rightly translated in the similar passage, "the pleasures of sin for a season." Next: 2 Corinthians Chapter 5”

“While we look ... - Or, rather, we not looking at the things which are seen. The design of this is, to show in what way the afflictions which they endured became in their view light and momentary. It was by looking to the glories of the future world, and thus turning away the attention from the trials and sorrows of this life. If we look directly at our trials; if the mind is fixed wholly on them, and we think of nothing else, they often appear heavy and long. Even comparatively light and brief sufferings will appear to be exceedingly difficult to bear. But if we can turn away the mind from them and contemplate future glory; if we can compare them with eternal blessedness, and feel that they…”

“The things that are seen - Men, money, things of earth. The things that are not seen - God, grace, heaven. Next: 2 Corinthians Chapter 5”

“4:18 If we look at the troubles we can see now, we grow faint; but when we see our lives in the light of eternal reality, we know that our troubles will soon be gone.”

“we: Co2 5:7; Rom 8:24, Rom 8:25; Heb 11:1, Heb 11:25-27, Heb 12:2, Heb 12:3 for: Mat 25:46; Lev 16:25, Lev 16:26; Th2 2:16; Jo1 2:16, Jo1 2:17, Jo1 2:25 Next: 2 Corinthians Chapter 5”