2 Corinthians5
New International Version
1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,
3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
7For we live by faith, not by sight.
8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
11Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
12We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
13If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle's hope and desire of heavenly glory. (1–8). This excited to diligence. The reasons of his being affected with zeal for the Corinthians. (9–15). The necessity of regeneration, and of reconciliation with God through Christ. (16–21).
vv1-8
The believer not only is well assured by faith that there is another and a happy life after this is ended, but he has good hope, through grace, of heaven as a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a hiding-place. In our Father's house there are many mansions, whose Builder and Maker is God. The happiness of the future state is what God has prepared for those that love him: everlasting habitations, not like the earthly tabernacles, the poor cottages of clay, in which our souls now dwell; that are mouldering and decaying, whose foundations are in the dust. The body of flesh is a heavy burden, the calamities of life are a heavy load. But believers groan, being burdened with a body of sin, and because of the many corruptions remaining and raging within them. Death will strip us of the clothing of flesh, and all the comforts of life, as well as end all our troubles here below. But believing souls shall be clothed with garments of praise, with robes of righteousness and glory. The present graces and comforts of the Spirit are earnests of everlasting grace and comfort. And though God is with us here, by his Spirit, and in his ordinances, yet we are not with him as we hope to be. Faith is for this world, and sight is for the other world. It is our duty, and it will be our interest, to walk by faith, till we live by sight. This shows clearly the happiness to be enjoyed by the souls of believers when absent from the body, and where Jesus makes known his glorious presence. We are related to the body and to the Lord; each claims a part in us. But how much more powerfully the Lord pleads for having the soul of the believer closely united with himself! Thou art one of the souls I have loved and chosen; one of those given to me. What is death, as an object of fear, compared with being absent from the Lord!
vv9-15
The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal and diligence were for the glory of God and the good of the church. Christ's love to us will have a like effect upon us, if duly considered and rightly judged. All were lost and undone, dead and ruined, slaves to sin, having no power to deliver themselves, and must have remained thus miserable for ever, if Christ had not died. We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living and actions. A Christian's life should be devoted to Christ. Alas, how many show the worthlessness of their professed faith and love, by living to themselves and to the world!
vv16-21
The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things. The heart of the unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with him. Yet there may be reconciliation. Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein. Though God cannot lose by the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept the salvation he offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Can any lose, labour, or suffer too much for Him, who gave his beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins, that they might be made the righteousness of God in him?
Key Words
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐάν (eán): a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
σκῆνος (skēnos): a hut or temporary residence, i.e. (figuratively) the human body (as the abode of the spirit)
ἡμῶν (hēmōn): of (or from) us
ἐπίγειος (epígeios): worldly (physically or morally)
οἰκία (oikía): properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
καταλύω (katalýō): to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare G2646 (κατάλυμα)) to halt for the night
ἔχω (échō): to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 5Poole and JFB connect 'clothed upon' with corruptible putting on incorruption in 1 Corinthians 15.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Both Calvin and JFB note Peter's identical tabernacle metaphor for the mortal human body.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Inward groaning of believers waiting for redemption of the body matches Paul's expression here.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ being 'made sin' is directly parallel to Him being 'made a curse' for us.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Underpins Christ knowing no sin yet being made a sacrifice/offering for our transgressions.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Poole links not being 'found naked' with keeping one's spiritual garments to avoid shame.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The desire to depart the body and be present with Christ is echoed in Philippians.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Living not to ourselves but to Him who died and rose is expanded in Romans 14.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Intra-chapter link: being in Christ as a new creature is grounded in God's reconciliation work.
Supported by Matthew Henry
JFB contrasts our earthly tabernacle with Christ's body, the true tabernacle not made with hands.
Supported by JFB
Calvin and JFB compare the 'earthly house' to Job's description of 'houses of clay.'
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Poole links our groaning in this tabernacle to Paul's cry over the body of death.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The phrase 'swallowed up of life' alludes to death being swallowed up in victory.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Walking by faith, not sight, directly continues 2 Corinthians 4's focus on things unseen.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Henry connects God fashioning ('wrought') us for this with believers being His workmanship.
Supported by Matthew Henry