Digging Deeper: The Greater Meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:7

“For we are walking by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Paul wrote these words while talking about the hope of future life that Christians cannot yet see with their eyes. The main point is that faithful Christians let their trust in Jehovah, not just what they can see, guide how they live. As the day’s text explains, Paul lived that way, and near the end of his life he could say: “I have run the race to the finish, I have observed the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) When we walk by faith, our decisions show that we are sure Jehovah will reward us.

1“Walking”: The Way I Live My Life (περιπατέω, pe·ri·pa·teʹo)

The Greek word for “walking” is περιπατέω (pe·ri·pa·teʹo). It literally means to walk around, but in the Bible it is often used to mean how a person lives, acts, and follows a certain course in life. Paul wrote it in a way that shows ongoing action. Walking by faith isn’t a single step; it’s a daily habit.

Paul prayed that Christians would “walk worthily of Jehovah in order to please him fully.” (Colossians 1:10) Every choice we make, big or small, is one more step along the road we’ve chosen.

• My everyday choices show which way I am really walking.

2“Faith”: Trust With a Solid Basis (πίστις, piʹstis)

The word for “faith” is πίστις (piʹstis), which means trust, firm belief, or confidence. Bible faith isn’t wishful thinking. Hebrews 11:1 calls it “the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen.”

The day’s text points out that a person who walks by faith makes decisions based on his trust in Jehovah. Paul adds: “Without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

• My faith is built on what Jehovah has shown me in his Word, so it has a solid basis.

3“Sight”: What I Can See Right Now (εἶδος, eiʹdos)

The word translated “sight” is εἶδος (eiʹdos). It refers to what can be seen, the outward appearance of things. Walking by sight would mean letting what’s in front of our eyes decide our course, such as money, popularity, or what seems safe right now.

Paul explained a better way: “We keep our eyes, not on the things seen, but on the things unseen. For the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are everlasting.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) What we see today will pass, but Jehovah’s promises last.

• When a decision looks good on the surface, I can ask whether it fits what Jehovah has promised.