For 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. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For 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. Now 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.
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For 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.
- 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
While this feels like a new section since it starts a new chapter, what Paul writes here is directly connected to what came before it at the end of chapter 4 – the challenge to cultivate an eternal perspective while here on earth. Paul builds on that theme by looking at the sources of our divine comfort for believers who were possibly facing imminent death for their faith – possessing a perfect spiritual body, being transformed by the Spirit, and experiencing fellowship with Christ.
In verse 1, Paul contrasts our present, temporary bodies with the eternal, heavenly bodies promised to believers. The "earthly tent" symbolizes our physical bodies, which are fragile and temporary. The "building from God" represents our resurrection bodies, eternal and perfect. This assurance of a heavenly dwelling provides hope and perspective amidst the trials and sufferings of this life. A friend of mine wrote a children’s book called Grandpa Tom’s Tent based on this verse; it helps children (and adults) understand when loved ones pass away by showing that our earthly bodies will fail but our spirits will live on in heaven when we have faith in Jesus.
Paul acknowledges the tension and discomfort of our current existence in verse 2. The "groaning" reflects our yearning for the fulfillment of God's promises and the complete redemption of our bodies. This verse captures the Christian experience of living in the "already but not yet" reality of God's kingdom – already redeemed but not yet fully realized. We don’t know the nature of this “groaning” from this passage, but based on Romans 8:19-23 and Philippians 3:20-21, we can guess that it deals with Paul’s frustration with knowing he would one day be perfect in heaven yet still needing to deal with all of the imperfections and brokenness here on earth.
Paul uses the metaphor of clothing to describe the transformation from our earthly bodies to our heavenly bodies, which is highlighted in verse 3. To be clothed signifies being fully embodied in the new creation, while being naked implies vulnerability and incompleteness. The promise here is one of complete and secure transformation, leaving behind the vulnerabilities of our current state.
Verse 4 is very connected to the thought in verse 2, bringing back the idea of groaning and being burdened in this life. This verse also adds a vital detail: the desire to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. This longing is not just for relief from suffering but for the full realization of eternal life, where mortality is overcome by the fullness of life in Christ. This verse refers back to 4:16: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” The inward spiritual transformation swallows up the outward body that is wasting away, so that one day we will live in perfection.
In verse 5, Paul emphasizes that God Himself has designed us for this eternal purpose. The gift of the Holy Spirit serves as a "deposit," a foretaste and a guarantee of the future inheritance. This assurance is rooted in God's faithfulness and His commitment to bring His redemptive plan to completion.
The confidence mentioned in verse 6 stems from the assurance provided by the Holy Spirit. However, Paul also acknowledges a current reality: while we live in our physical bodies, we are not yet in the full presence of the Lord. This verse highlights the tension between our current state and our ultimate hope. The confidence highlighted in this verse is in contrast to the groaning from verses 2 and 4. We may groan while on this earth, but we still have confidence in God’s redeeming work.
Verse 7 is often quoted: "For we live by faith, not by sight." This succinct yet powerful statement captures the essence of the Christian walk. Living by faith means trusting in God's promises and unseen realities, rather than relying solely on our physical senses and present circumstances. It calls believers to a life of trust and reliance on God's word and His Spirit.
Paul reiterates his confidence in verse 8, and he expresses a preference for the ultimate reality – being in the full presence of the Lord. This longing to be "at home with the Lord" reflects the deep desire for communion with God that surpasses the temporary comforts and struggles of earthly life. Because of this, Paul sets forth a practical goal in verse 9: to live in a manner that pleases God. Whether in our current earthly bodies or in our future resurrected bodies, the aim is to live a life that honors and pleases God.
Finally, in verse 10 Paul brings a sobering reminder of accountability. Every believer will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive recompense for their actions. This judgment is not about salvation – which is secured by faith in Christ – but about the evaluation of our lives and deeds. It underscores the importance of living faithfully and responsibly, knowing that our actions have eternal significance.
This passage is a source of great comfort, reminding us that our earthly struggles are temporary and that a glorious future awaits. It challenges us to live by faith, aiming to please God in all we do, and to remain ever hopeful of the day when we will be fully at home with the Lord. As we navigate the complexities and challenges of life, this passage anchors us in the steadfast hope of eternal life and the faithful promises of God.
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