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2 Corinthians 4:18

2 Corinthians 4:18 (WEB)

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.

Fathers and councils · 26

Origen

  • “…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 unseen are eternal.”” — editor's note: Cf. 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.

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  • “And yet, indeed, if we have regard to the words, “Looking not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;” and also to these, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,”—we might…” — editor's note: Cf. 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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  • “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 18–v. 1.

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  • “Since, then, those things “which are seen are temporal, but those things which are not seen are eternal,” all those bodies which we see either on earth or in heaven, and which are capable of being seen, and have been made with hands, but are not eternal, are far…” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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Gregory of Nyssa

  • “To say that the heavens and the earth and other contents of creation were out of things which are not, or, as the Apostle says, out of “things not seen,” inflicts no dishonour upon the Maker of this universe; for we know from Scripture that all these things are not from everlasting nor will remain for ever.” — editor's note: Heb. xi. 1; 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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  • “For if the Apostle plainly says that what is not eternal is temporary, and if these people see eternal life in the essence of the Father alone, and if by alienating the Son from the Nature of the Father they also cut Him off from…” — editor's note: The reference is perhaps to 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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John Cassian

  • “…world, we no longer, as the Apostle says, regard “the things which are seen, but those which are not seen, for the things which are not seen are eternal,” and going forth in heart from this temporal and visible home, turn our eyes and heart towards that in which we are to remain for ever.” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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  • “…on those things which are seen, but on those which are not seen: for the things that are seen, are temporal, and the things which are not seen are eternal;” that so we may be found worthy to hear that highest utterance, which was spoken to Abraham: “and come into a land which I will show thee,” which clearly shows…” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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Augustine of Hippo

John Chrysostom

Jerome

  • “No; things eternal must take the place of things transitory; and since, physically speaking, we daily anticipate death, if we wish for immortality we must realize that we are but mortal.” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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  • “…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.”” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.

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Ambrose of Milan

Tertullian

Gregory of Nazianzus

  • “This is his stay in his perplexity, and this is thy only gain from life here below, to be guided through the disorder of the things which are seen and shaken, to the things which stand firm and are not moved.” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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Catena Aurea on Matthew

  • OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew

    “…invisible substances, being itself invisible, as the Apostle speaks, “The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” [2 Cor 4:18] Wonder not when you hear that there is afire which though unseen has power to torture, when you see that there is an internal fever which comes…” — the author cites it

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Leo the Great

  • “…of this world reasonably and moderately: for as the Apostle says, “the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen are eternal.”” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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  • “And, therefore, seeing that the blessed Apostle Paul says, “the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal,” the path of virtue lies hid and in concealment, to a certain extent, since “by hope we were saved,” and true faith loves that above all things, which it…” — editor's note: 2 Cor. iv. 18.

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Clement of Alexandria

Cross-references · 34

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Parallel passages

  • Luke 18:27 and 2 Corinthians 4:18 share the same wording (16 words).

  • Luke 21:26 and 2 Corinthians 4:18 share the same wording (16 words).

  • 1 Corinthians 4:6 and 2 Corinthians 4:18 share the same wording (16 words).

Quotes

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18 takes up the words of Judith 9:5 (16 words in common).

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18 takes up the words of Wisdom 4:12 (16 words in common).

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18 takes up the words of Wisdom 10:8 (16 words in common).

Connections

Cited together with · 4

Parallel passages · 3

Cited together with · 24

Quotes · 3

Cited by · 25

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