"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 is one of the most quoted verses in the Christian life. You'll find it on candles, shirts, wall art, and Instagram captions. But what does it actually mean to walk by faith? And how do you do it when life is hard, the future is unclear, and everything in you wants to see before you step?
This article digs into the real meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:7 β the context Paul was writing from, what "sight" actually refers to, and what it looks like practically to walk by faith in your everyday life.
The Context of 2 Corinthians 5:7
To understand what Paul meant by "walk by faith, not by sight," you have to read what surrounds it. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul is writing about the tension between our current earthly existence and the eternal reality that awaits us. He describes our bodies as "earthly tents" β temporary, fragile, subject to suffering and decay. And he contrasts them with the eternal, heavenly dwelling God has prepared for us.
In verse 6, Paul writes: "Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord." Then verse 7: "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
The "sight" Paul is referring to isn't just physical vision. It's the full, unmediated experience of God's presence and glory that we don't yet have in this life. Right now, we see dimly β as 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "through a glass darkly." We don't see the full picture. We don't see the eternal weight of glory behind our present circumstances. We walk by faith in what God has said β not by what our current circumstances appear to be.
That's the foundation of walking by faith. It's not blind optimism. It's confident trust in the character and promises of a God who sees what we cannot.
What "Walk" Means in This Verse
The word "walk" in the original Greek is peripateo β which means to walk around, to conduct oneself, to live one's life. It's not talking about a single dramatic moment of faith. It's talking about the ongoing, daily pattern of how you move through life.
Walking by faith is not a one-time decision. It's a daily posture. It's the way you approach every morning, every decision, every uncertainty, every fear. It's the lens through which you interpret your circumstances β not by what you can see and measure and control, but by what God has said and promised and declared.
That's why the verse uses the word "walk" and not "leap" or "jump." Faith isn't always dramatic. Most of the time, it's just the next step. One foot in front of the other, trusting that the God who called you forward is already there.
What "Not By Sight" Actually Means
"Not by sight" doesn't mean ignoring reality or pretending problems don't exist. It means refusing to let what you can see be the final word on what is true.
Consider the examples in Scripture:
- Abraham left his homeland without knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). He couldn't see the destination. He walked by faith.
- Moses led Israel out of Egypt and stood at the edge of the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army behind him. He couldn't see a way through. He walked by faith β and the sea parted.
- Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water. He couldn't see how it was possible. He walked by faith β until he looked at the waves instead of Jesus.
- Paul himself wrote this verse from a life of beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, and hardship. He couldn't see how any of it was working for good. He walked by faith.
In every case, "not by sight" meant choosing to trust God's word over the evidence of their circumstances. That's the walk of faith.
What Walking By Faith Looks Like Today
Walking by faith isn't a concept reserved for biblical heroes. It's the daily reality of every Christian who chooses to trust God when life doesn't make sense. Here's what it looks like in real life:
When the Future Is Uncertain
You don't know what's coming. The job, the relationship, the health situation, the next chapter β none of it is clear. Walking by faith means taking the next step anyway, trusting that God sees the path even when you can't. Jeremiah 29:11 promises: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord β plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Read more about the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11.
When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered
You've prayed. You've waited. Nothing seems to be changing. Walking by faith means continuing to trust that God is working even when you can't see it. Romans 8:28 β "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him." All things. Even the waiting.
When You're Afraid
Fear is what happens when sight takes over β when you look at the waves instead of Jesus. Walking by faith means bringing your fear to God and choosing to trust His promises over your circumstances. Isaiah 41:10 β "Fear not, for I am with you." The Faith Over Fear Candle is a daily reminder of exactly that choice.
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When You're in a Hard Season
Loss. Grief. Illness. Broken relationships. Financial pressure. Walking by faith in a hard season means refusing to let the hardship define the story. It means holding onto the truth that God is still good, still present, and still working β even when the evidence of your circumstances says otherwise. The Trust In The Lord Candle (Proverbs 3:5) is a beautiful daily anchor for exactly these seasons.
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Walk By Faith vs. Blind Faith β What's the Difference?
One of the most common objections to faith is that it's "blind" β that believing without seeing is irrational. But biblical faith is not blind. It's based on evidence.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." That confidence isn't wishful thinking β it's grounded in the character of God, the reliability of His Word, and the historical reality of the resurrection. We walk by faith because we have seen enough of God's faithfulness to trust Him with what we haven't seen yet.
That's not blind. That's the most rational response to the evidence available.
Verses That Deepen the Meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Hebrews 11:1 β "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
- Proverbs 3:5β6 β "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
- Romans 8:24β25 β "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
- Isaiah 40:31 β "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
- Matthew 14:29 β Peter walking on water. The ultimate picture of walking by faith β and what happens when sight takes over.
Carry the Reminder With You
Walking by faith is easier when you're surrounded by reminders of what's true. The Walk By Faith Candle is one of our most meaningful pieces β a daily reminder on your desk, your nightstand, or your kitchen counter that the step you're about to take is a faith step. And faith steps are the ones God honors.
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And the Faith Can Move Mountains T-Shirt pairs beautifully with the spirit of 2 Corinthians 5:7 β both are declarations that faith is bigger than what you can see.
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Browse the full collection of faith-based apparel and Bible verse candles at Christian Clothing Co β designed for people who are learning to walk by faith every single day.
And if you want to go deeper on living out your faith, check out our articles on what faith over fear really means, the meaning of rooted in Christ, and the true meaning of Philippians 4:13.