Our Eternal Dwelling and Accountability to Christ
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
2Cor.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οιδαμεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
- γαρ: PART
- οτι: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επιγειος: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- οικια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σκηνους: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- καταλυθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- οικοδομην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εχομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- οικιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αχειροποιητον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- αιωνιον: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ουρανοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 11:10,16 (verbal): Hebrews speaks of seeking a city 'whose builder and maker is God,' echoing Paul's language of a God‑made dwelling/house not built by human hands.
- John 14:2-3 (thematic): Jesus promises 'many rooms' in the Father's house and that he goes to prepare a place—parallel hope of a heavenly dwelling prepared by God.
- Philippians 3:20-21 (thematic): Paul speaks of citizens awaiting transformation of our lowly bodies to be like Christ's glorious body, echoing the expectation of a heavenly, transformed dwelling.
- 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 (thematic): The perishable must put on the imperishable (and the mortal put on immortality), resonating with the contrast between the earthly 'tent' and an eternal, imperishable house.
- Romans 8:23 (thematic): Believers 'groan' for adoption and the redemption of our bodies, reflecting the longing for the heavenly, finalized dwelling Paul describes in 2 Cor 5:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we know that if the tent that is our earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God—a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
- For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is torn down, we have a building from God—an eternal house in the heavens, not made with hands.
2Cor.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- εν: PREP
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- στεναζομεν: VERB,pres,mp,ind,1,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- οικητηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,neut
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εξ: PREP
- ουρανου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
- επενδυσασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- επιποθουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 8:23 (verbal): Paul speaks of believers 'groaning' and 'earnestly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body,' echoing 2 Cor 5:2's language of groaning and longing to be clothed with a heavenly dwelling.
- Philippians 3:20-21 (thematic): The hope that our lowly bodies will be transformed and conformed to Christ (heavenly rule and transformation of the body) parallels the yearning in 2 Cor 5:2 for a heavenly habitation and bodily change.
- 1 Corinthians 15:53 (verbal): The imagery of putting on imperishability/immortality ('we shall be changed' / 'this perishable must put on the imperishable') parallels 2 Cor 5:2's idea of being 'clothed' with a heavenly house.
- John 14:2-3 (allusion): Jesus' promise of a place/house in the Father's house prepared in heaven resonates with 2 Cor 5:2's longing for 'our house from heaven'—a heavenly dwelling prepared for believers.
- Hebrews 13:14 (thematic): 'Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city to come' thematically parallels the transient earthly body versus the sought-after heavenly dwelling of 2 Cor 5:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- So in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
- In this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven;
2Cor.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γε: PART
- και: CONJ
- ενδυσαμενοι: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- γυμνοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ευρεθησομεθα: VERB,fut,pass,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- 2 Cor 5:4 (structural): Immediate continuation/contrast in the same passage: develops the same clothed/naked motif and the longing for being 'clothed' so mortality may be swallowed up by life.
- 1 Cor 15:53-54 (verbal): Uses the language of 'putting on' immortality/incorruption and the transformation of the body—parallel imagery of being clothed with a new, imperishable state.
- Rom 8:23 (thematic): Speaks of believers 'groaning' and waiting for the redemption of our bodies—echoes the eschatological hope tied to being 'clothed' rather than 'naked.'
- Phil 3:21 (thematic): Describes Christ transforming our lowly body to be like his glorious body—another passage about bodily change/transformation associated with Christian hope and 'clothing' with glory.
- Isa 61:10 (allusion): Old Testament imagery of being 'clothed' with garments of salvation/righteousness parallels New Testament symbolism of being clothed in the consummated state of salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- if, being clothed, we shall not be found naked.
- if, indeed, having been clothed, we will not be found naked.
2Cor.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- οντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- σκηνει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- στεναζομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- βαρουμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- εφ᾽ω: PREP+REL,acc,sg,n
- ου: PART,neg
- θελομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- εκδυσασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- αλλ᾽επενδυσασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- ινα: CONJ
- καταποθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θνητον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- υπο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ζωης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Cor 5:1-3 (structural): Immediate context: same 'tent'/'clothed' imagery and argument about longing for a heavenly dwelling and being 'clothed' rather than 'unclothed.'
- Romans 8:23 (thematic): Paulic theme of groaning and eager longing for bodily redemption—believers 'groan' awaiting adoption and the redemption of their bodies.
- 1 Cor 15:53-54 (verbal): Uses language of putting on imperishability/immortality and of death being overcome—parallels 'mortal swallowed up by life' and the change of the body.
- Philippians 3:21 (thematic): Hope that Christ will transform our lowly/mortal bodies to be like his glorious body echoes the desire to be 'further clothed' with life.
- Isaiah 25:8 (allusion): Prophetic promise that God 'will swallow up death forever' resonates with Paul's phrase about mortality being 'swallowed up by life.'
Alternative generated candidates
- For while we are in this tent we groan, burdened; not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
- For while we are still in this tent we groan, burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2Cor.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- κατεργασαμενος: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- εις: PREP
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δους: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αρραβωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Eph.1.13-14 (verbal): Explicitly calls the Holy Spirit 'the guarantee/earnest of our inheritance' (Greek ἀρραβῶν), using the same concept and terminology as 2 Cor 5:5.
- 2Cor.1.21-22 (verbal): Close intra-canonical parallel: Paul says God establishes, anoints, seals believers and 'gave the arrabōn (earnest) of the Spirit,' echoing 5:5 almost verbatim and the same theological point.
- Eph.4.30 (thematic): Speaks of believers being sealed with the Holy Spirit 'unto the day of redemption,' linking the Spirit’s sealing/pledge role to the future redemption described in 2 Cor 5:5.
- Rom.8.23-24 (thematic): Describes believers groaning for adoption and the redemption of the body while already having the Spirit (firstfruits/foretaste), thematically connecting present Spirit-possession with promised future redemption.
Alternative generated candidates
- He who prepared us for this very thing is God, who gave us the Spirit as a guarantee.
- He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
2Cor.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Θαρρουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ουν: CONJ
- παντοτε: ADV
- και: CONJ
- ειδοτες: PTCP,perf,act,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ενδημουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- σωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- εκδημουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 5:8 (quotation): Immediate parallel/continuation: explicitly states preference to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord—same assertion as v.6.
- Philippians 1:23 (verbal): Paul speaks of a desire to 'depart and be with Christ,' echoing the language and hope of leaving the body to be with the Lord.
- John 14:2-3 (thematic): Jesus promises a prepared dwelling and that he will receive believers to himself, providing the Johannine background for being 'with the Lord.'
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (thematic): Describes the dead in Christ and the living being caught up to meet the Lord so that believers are 'with the Lord,' paralleling the eschatological expectation of v.6.
- Hebrews 11:13-16 (thematic): The faithful long for a heavenly country and a better dwelling, thematically paralleling the tension between earthly body and being at home with the Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore we are always of good courage, and we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—
- Therefore we are always of good courage and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
2Cor.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- περιπατουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- δια: PREP
- ειδους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 (structural): Immediate context in the same letter: contrasts focusing on unseen realities with not looking at what is seen—complements 'not by sight' and develops the same argument about faith and hope.
- Habakkuk 2:4 (quotation): The Old Testament root of the idea—'the righteous shall live by his faith' (or faithfulness)—provides the theological background for living by faith rather than by sight.
- Romans 1:17 (quotation): Paul cites Habakkuk ('the righteous shall live by faith') as foundational—establishes the principle that the believer's life before God is governed by faith, echoing 'we walk by faith.'
- Galatians 2:20 (thematic): Paul's personal expression 'I live by faith in the Son of God' parallels the language of walking/living by faith and applies it to Christian existence in Christ.
- Hebrews 11:1 (thematic): Provides a classic New Testament definition of faith ('the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen') that explains what it means to 'walk by faith, not by sight.'
Alternative generated candidates
- for we walk by faith, not by sight.
- For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2Cor.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- θαρρουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ευδοκουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- μαλλον: ADV
- εκδημησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ενδημησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 1:23 (verbal): Paul's explicit desire 'to depart and be with Christ' parallels 2 Cor 5:8's preference to be absent from the body and present with the Lord (shared language and motive).
- 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 (thematic): Both passages comfort believers about death and the afterlife, affirming that the faithful who die are with the Lord and that the living will be gathered to meet the Lord. Themes of presence with Christ after death are central.
- Luke 23:43 (verbal): Jesus' promise to the thief 'Today you will be with me in paradise' echoes the immediacy of being 'with the Lord' at death expressed in 2 Cor 5:8.
- John 14:3 (allusion): Jesus' assurance 'I go to prepare a place... that where I am you may be also' undergirds the idea in 2 Cor 5:8 that departure from the body results in being 'with the Lord.'
- 2 Corinthians 5:6 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within the same epistle: 5:6 sets up the contrast between being 'at home in the body' and 'away from the Lord,' which 5:8 resolves with confident preference for being with the Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
- Yet we are of good courage and would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
2Cor.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διο: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- φιλοτιμουμεθα: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,pl
- ειτε: CONJ
- ενδημουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ειτε: CONJ
- εκδημουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ευαρεστοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 5:15 (structural): Immediate context: Christ’s death and new life provide the motive—believers no longer live for themselves but for Christ, explaining the ambition to be pleasing to him.
- Romans 14:8-9 (thematic): Shared theme that whether we live or die we belong to the Lord and therefore exist to serve and be pleasing to Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (verbal): Uses nearly identical imperative language urging believers to “walk and to please God,” echoing the aim expressed in 2 Cor 5:9.
- Colossians 3:17 (verbal): Commands that whatever is done be done in the name of the Lord Jesus—parallel emphasis on orienting all conduct to please Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (thematic): Principle that every action should be done for God’s glory parallels the ambition to live so as to be pleasing to him.
Alternative generated candidates
- So whether we are at home or away, our aim is to please him.
- So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
2Cor.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- φανερωθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εμπροσθεν: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- βηματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- κομισηται: VERB,aor,mid,subj,3,sg
- εκαστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- προς: PREP
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- επραξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ειτε: CONJ
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ειτε: CONJ
- φαυλον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Romans 14:10-12 (verbal): Explicitly parallels the language and idea that 'we shall all stand before the judgment seat' and that each person will give account to God for deeds—same courtroom/judgment motif.
- Matthew 25:31-46 (thematic): Parallels the theme of final judgment where people are separated and judged according to their deeds, with rewards and punishments for good or evil actions.
- Revelation 20:11-13 (structural): Depicts the eschatological judgment scene (great white throne) where the dead are judged 'according to their works,' echoing the Corinthians' focus on deeds being assessed.
- Romans 2:6 (verbal): States that God 'will repay each person according to their deeds,' a succinct parallel to the principle that each will receive what they have done in the body.
- Ecclesiastes 12:14 (allusion): Old Testament antecedent asserting that God will bring every deed into judgment, including hidden things—provides a wisdom-background for Paul's claim about accountability for deeds.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
For we know that if our earthly tent is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Meanwhile we groan within this tent, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
if indeed, being clothed, we are not to be found naked.
For while we are in this tent we groan, burdened; not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
The one who prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Therefore we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are confident, and would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, our aim is to please him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.