Meaning, commentary and cross references
2 Corinthians 5:7
“for we walk by faith, not by sight.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
NIV · New International Version
For we live by faith, not by sight.
WEB · World English Bible
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
What does 2 Corinthians 5:7 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, and not by sight. Faith is a grace which answers many useful purposes; it is the eye of the soul, by which it looks to Christ for righteousness, peace, pardon, life, and salvation; the hand by which it receives him, and the foot by which it goes to him, and walks in him as it has received him; which denotes not a single act of faith, but a continued course of believing; and is expressive, not of a weak, but of a strong steady faith of glory and happiness, and of interest in it: and it is opposed to "sight": by which is meant, not sensible communion, but the celestial vision: there is something of sight in faith; that is a seeing of the Son; and it is an evidence of…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on 2 Corinthians 5:1–11
What their present state or condition is: they are absent from the Lord (Co2 5:6); they are pilgrims and strangers in this world; they do but sojourn here in their earthly home, or in this tabernacle; and though God is with us here, by his Spirit, and in his ordinances, yet we are not with him as we hope to be: we cannot see his face while we live: For we walk by faith, not by sight, Co2 5:7. We have not the vision and fruition of God, as of an object that is present with us, and as we hope for hereafter, when we shall see as we are seen. Note, Faith is for this world, and sight is reserved for the other world: and it is our duty, and will be our interest, to walk by faith, till we come to…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on 2 Corinthians 5:1–8
7. For we walk by faith (Eidos) I have here rendered aspectum, (sight,) because few understood the meaning of the word species, (appearance.) [520] He states the reason, why it is that we are now absent from the Lord -- because we do not as yet see him face to face. (1 Corinthians 13:12.) The manner of that absence is this -- that God is not openly beheld by us.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 2 Corinthians 5:4–10 (WEB)
4For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit. 6Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him. 10For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Cross references
- Hebrews 11:1–27
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
- 2 Corinthians 4:18
while we don’t look 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.
- Romans 8:24–25
For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
- 1 Peter 1:8
whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,
- Hebrews 10:38
But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
- Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.
- 1 Peter 5:9
Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
- 1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.