What are the things which are seen according to 2 Corinthians 4:18?
The things which are seen are temporal, earthly, and not heavenly. They belong to the visible, temporary realm, in contrast to the unseen things. The passage calls believers not to look at the seen things but at the unseen, because the seen things are passing and earthly.
Les explains that 2 Corinthians 4:18 contrasts the things which are seen with the things which are not seen. The seen things are temporal, earthly, and not heavenly. In the surrounding context, Paul speaks of the outward man perishing while the inward man is renewed day by day, and he calls the present affliction light and momentary, working a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Therefore, the seen things are the temporary, earthly realm, while believers are directed to look at the unseen things.
While we look not 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.