John Calvin on 2 Corinthians 4:18

While we look not. Mark what it is, that will make all the miseries of this world easy to be endured, — if we carry forward our thoughts to the eternity of the heavenly kingdom. For a moment is long, if we look around us on this side and on that; but, when we have once raised our minds heavenward, a thousand years begin to appear to us to be like a moment. Farther, the Apostle’s words intimate, that we are imposed upon by the view of present things, because there is nothing there that is not temporal; and that, consequently, there is nothing for us to rest upon but confidence in a future life. Observe the expression, looking at the things which are unseen, “The word which is here rendered look signifies to take aim at, (σκοποῦντων ἡμῶν) This is a very steady intuition, which a man hath of the mark which he is aiming at, or the end which he designs; he must always have it in his eye. And by this looking, saith the Apostle, we find that, notwithstanding all the decays of the outward man, the inward man is reviewed day by day — life, and vigor, and spirit continually entering in at our eyes from that glorious aim which we have before us. This will need a very steady determination of mind unto such objects by a commanding light and glory that they carry with them, so that the soul feels not a disposition in itself to direct or look off.” — Howe’s Works, (Lond. 1834,) p. 543. — Ed. for the eye of faith penetrates beyond all our natural senses, and faith is also on that account represented as a looking at things that are invisible. (Hebrews 11:1.)

CHAPTER 5

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

1. 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.

1. Scimus enim, quod, si terrenum nostrum domicilium destruatur, aedificationem ex Deo habemus, domum non manufactam, aeternam in coelis.

2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2. Etenim in hoc gemimus, domicilium nostrum quod est e coelo, superinduere desiderantes:

3. If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

3. Siquidem etiam vestiti, non nudi reperiamur. “Si toutesfois nons sommes trouuez aussi vestus, et non point nuds, ou, Si toutesfois nous sommes trouuez vestus, ou, Veu qu’ aussi nous serons trouuez, etc., ou, Veu que mesmes apres auoir este despouillez, nous ne serons trouuez nuds;” — “If, nevertheless, we are found also clothed, and not naked — or, If, nevertheless, we are found clothed — or, Since we shall also be found, etc., or, Since even after having been stript, we shall not be found naked.”

4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

4. Etenim dum sumus in tabernaculo, gemimus gravati; eo quod non exui volumus, “Pource que nous desirons, ou, en laquelle nous desirons;” — “Because we desire, or, in which we desire.” sed superindui, ut destruatur, quod mortale est, a vita.

5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

5. Qui autem aptavit nos ad hoc ipsum, Deus est: qui etiam dedit nobis arrhabonem Spiritus.

6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

6. Confidimus ergo semper, et scimus, quod habitantes in corpore, peregrinamur a Domino.

7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

7. Per fidem enim ambulamus, et non per aspectum.

8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

8. Confidimus, inquam, et libentius optamus peregrinari a corpore, et habitare apud Dominum.