Back to Today
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, 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.
Permalink Verse page
Interpretation

Paul urges a not losing heart that is traced in conflict and celebration. 2 Corinthians 4:16: notice "which" and "things". Practice not losing heart in small choices no one sees—trace faith in small fidelities.

Context

In 2 Corinthians (Epistle/Letter), naming not losing heart. Placed in ch. 4, the nearby lines set its tone. The nearby sentences supply the texture.

Authorship & Historical Background

2 Corinthians was received under the name of Paul. In current research on 2 Corinthians, generally accepted as Pauline; composite letter hypothesis by some.. Date: AD 55–56. Apostolic Community is especially relevant in this line.

More details
Traditional:Paul
Modern scholarship:Authentic Pauline; composite letter hypothesis by some.
Date:AD 55–56
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Greek text is preserved in thousands of manuscripts. Early papyri (P46, P66, P75) from the 2nd-3rd centuries, along with major uncials like Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (4th century), provide strong textual witness. Minor variants exist but leave the overall message intact.
Sources & witness notes
SinaiticusVaticanusP46