In this third and last article on the subject: “Walking by faith” we will continue our efforts at understanding the text: 2 Corinthians 5:7. Of course, these are the inspired words of the apostle Paul: “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:).” There are varying “views” on the meaning of the apostle’s words; thus, a need for study!
Let it be understood, these are very important words, as the word “walk,” is so large it engages the total of one’s life. “Walking” is a figurative word, expressing one’s manner of life. The question before us at this point is what is the authority, what is guiding our manner of life? The apostle gave us two manners of life: 1) a manner of life that is lived according to “the faith once for all time delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3); and a manner of life that is lived according to “sight.”
If one has a manner of life, wherein he is living “by faith,” he is one who must have his authority sit in divine revelation: “the teaching of Christ” (2 John 9). Remember Paul also wrote: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written: “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17). The words, “from faith to faith,” simply means, that our “faith” is produced and is in harmony with, “the faith once for all time delivered unto the saints.” It should go without saying, the apostle would never be encouraging anyone to have a “faith” which was/is not produced by anything else than “the faith once for all time delivered unto the saints!” Therefore, to “walk by faith” means that one’s manner of life, that which is the guide to his manner of life, is “the faith!” “The faith” is simply understood in “the teaching of Christ!”
This brings us to the second half of Paul’s statement: “not by sight!” Just what does the word “sight” mean. What is Paul telling us, that we are not to have as our manner of life? First, let us look at the Greek word, “eidos,” which means: “a view, that is, form (literally or figuratively): – appearance, fashion, shape, sight” (Strong). Thayer give us this: “the external or outward appearance.” The wisdom of this world, gives one a view to life, that is totally guided and measured by, this world! Therefore, just what does this world give us? The “rich man” in a parable given by Jesus, says it so clear, it is hard to miss: “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:16- 19). Just what was the “rich man’s” plan, this manner of life; by what was he “walking?” Was not by “sight?” First, “he thought within himself;” Second, he looked at his problem, while only looking at this world: “what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits;” Third, his answer was: “This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.” Once more, please notice that his answer to his problem was totally of this world! Fourth, he looked and continued according to the wisdom of this world: “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years.” And fifth, his conclusion, is based totally upon the wisdom of this world and not one thought as to judgment and eternity! Let his words reach into your heart; “take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry!”
This “rich man’s” manner of life was based upon what he saw as it relates to this world! He saw only gain but it was in the “appearance” this world gave him! He should have given thought to Paul’s words to Timothy: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7).” The spiritual blindness of this “rich man” was so totally limited to this world, that he even missed a truth which even this world understands; first, that we come into this world, physically even without clothes; being naked as we enter it and second, “it is certain we can carry nothing out!” This world teaches us as the “rich man” concluded: “thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry!” But, he totally missed the revelation of God, the most awesome thought the human can meditate upon: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecc. 12:13-14).
The question comes to each of us: do I “walk by faith” or do I walk “by sight?” One leads us into the eternal home and blessings far beyond the human’s mind ability to comprehend; the other is so horrifying the human mind will only occasionally allow the thought: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8). How different from these words: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness (eusebeia, means: reverence, piety towards God) is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8).
Frank R. Williams