A Commentary of the Book of 2 Corinthians
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: King James Version
Bible Study 2 Corinthians 5: 1-21
Text:
5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Our mortal, physical body is referred to as "Our earthly house." Even if Paul's trials result in physical death, a far superior existence awaits him. The phrase "An house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" is generally understood to mean our resurrection bodies, although some interpreters suggest it signifies the eternal dwelling place God has prepared for us.
Verse 2: “For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:”
Paul's intense longing was for freedom from his flawed and weak earthly body, which continually led to frustration and failure. The anticipated "house which is from heaven" represents the ultimate perfected body in heaven.
Verse 3: “if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.”
The time will come when Jesus will summon His followers from the world. We shall be caught up to meet our Lord in the air and subsequently stand before Him. What will this experience entail for us? We shall be arrayed in His righteousness, not found in a state of spiritual nakedness. Not all individuals raised from the dead will be clothed in His righteousness. Christ “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25)—that is, our righteousness. However, some have not received His righteousness; they have rejected Christ. Consequently, there is a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. Paul addresses this in Acts 24:15, stating, “… that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both the just and unjust.” Jesus affirmed the same in John 5:29: “And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” You will eventually stand in His presence. Will you be clothed in the righteousness of Christ?
Verse 4: “For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.”
Paul eagerly awaits the resurrected body, which will be free from the flaws and limitations of our current physical existence, referred to as "mortality." This present life will be "swallowed up of life," meaning it will be completely superseded by the new, heavenly life that is to come.
Verse 5: “ Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.”
The earnest of the Spirit signifies a guarantee that more is forthcoming. The Holy Spirit has been bestowed upon us in this life, despite our physical weaknesses and frailties. The Holy Spirit serves as the earnest, or the down payment. Having purchased us, Christ has provided the Holy Spirit, who dwells within the believer, as the initial installment. Eventually, we will vacate this earthly dwelling and encounter the Lord in the air. This truth presents a wonderful hope for us.
Verse 6: “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:”
A believer on earth is currently separated from the full presence of God. Nevertheless, Paul was not claiming a complete absence of contact, as the believer still has prayer, the indwelling Spirit, and fellowship through the Word. Instead, Paul was articulating a deep, spiritual longing—a homesickness for heaven and a profound desire to be fully "at home with his Lord."
Verse 7: “(for we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
How could Paul express such certainty that upon departing this body, we will reside in the presence of the Lord? Paul asserts that we operate by faith. We believe God in His Word. I would prefer to rely on His Word rather than the word of any other. Faith is the act of believing God at His Word. We currently inhabit these bodies, and are thus absent from the Lord.
Verse 8: “we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
This verse contrasts being at home in the body with being at home with the Lord. A future generation will bypass physical death, yet their bodies will still need to be changed: "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.... For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:51, 53). The body is what dies and is subsequently raised. Resurrection, from the Greek word anastasis (meaning "a standing up"), specifically refers to the body standing up, not the soul or spirit. Because we know these truths, our lives are guided by faith.
Verse 9: “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”
Our time in these earthly bodies is the sole eternal chance we have to please God through acts of faith, patient endurance during trials, and courageous boldness in sharing the message of Jesus. Once we reach heaven, these opportunities—to have faith, to endure trials, and to be bold in evangelism—will no longer exist.
Verse 10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
While all Christians receive forgiveness for their sins and are eternally exempt from hell's punishment, this verse teaches that they will still appear before Christ on the Day of Judgment. The purpose of this judgment is to receive varying levels of reward in heaven, based on their deeds performed during their lifetime.
Verse 11: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
Instead of fearing eternal condemnation, Christians should cultivate a healthy, reverent fear of displeasing Christ through the "things done in his body"—the choices we make. This kind of fear would have served as a necessary correction for the disruptive Corinthians and could similarly correct the careless behavior of many believers throughout history.
Verse 12: “For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.”
Unlike the world's standard of "appearance," which the false apostles in Corinth also embraced, a genuine apostle's evaluation focuses on the unseen and eternal, enduring troubles as they do. These false teachers represented the world's values, boasting in outward show, self-reliance, and a love for power, money, and prestige. If the Corinthians could grasp the spiritual nature of Paul's self-defense, it would equip them with a solid answer against the false apostles' superficial methods of judgment.
Verse 13: “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.”
Paul's intense awareness of God's presence, likely experienced during worship and prayer, is what is meant by being "beside ourselves." This doesn't imply a complete detachment from reality, as the same Greek term describes people who were merely "amazed" by Christ's miracles. Paul emphasizes that his life—whether in private devotion or public service—is wholly dedicated to God and others, a claim his rivals cannot truthfully make.
Verse 14: “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”
The phrase "constraineth us" in this context is often misunderstood as implying that Christ's love restricts or limits us. However, the true meaning of the Greek word Paul uses is that Christ's love propels or motivates us. It is the driving force that compels believers to share the Word of God. This love is powerful because of a foundational truth: "Because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead." Paul's realization of Christ's substitutionary death—that one died for all, proving all humanity was spiritually dead and under a sentence of death—is what launched him on his mission to proclaim the gospel worldwide.
Verse 15: “and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
Defending his character to the Corinthians, Paul emphasized that his previous, self-focused existence was over. He now possessed a complete devotion to living righteously. For all true believers, their union with Christ in death signifies not only an end to a life of sin but also a resurrection into a new life of righteousness.
Verse 16: “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.”
Paul stresses the importance of spiritual insight and judgment when evaluating people and circumstances. Our personal experience of Christ’s love compels us to move beyond worldly criteria and instead see others through the lens of God's profound act of salvation in Jesus Christ.
The phrase "after the flesh" describes the worldly perspective from which Christ was viewed—a perspective that led to His rejection and crucifixion as a blasphemer and troublemaker. However, from God's divine standpoint, Christ is recognized as the Messiah and Son of God, the one who brings about the new creation and reconciliation with God.
Verse 17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Our experience of redemption is encapsulated by our union with Christ. The Bible teaches that believers are elected, justified, sanctified, and ultimately glorified "in Christ." Paul underscores the profound importance of this spiritual connection, as Christ is the "last Adam." Because He is the one who re-creates humanity and initiates the new era of messianic blessings, the believer's union with the Savior means nothing less than participating in the formation of a "new creature."
Verse 18: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”
The entire plan of salvation and the history of redemption are centered on God, as indicated by the phrase "And all things are of God." Paul understood that the whole process originates from Him, operates through Him, and ultimately serves for His glory.
Verse 19: “to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
The core of the ministry of reconciliation is a complete change, but the change is in us, not in God. Scripture tells us that God reconciled us to Himself, affirming, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." It is the world that was reconciled. God, who is unchanging—the same yesterday, today, and forever—initiated this reconciliation. Though the world continues in its sin, this marvelous ministry of reconciliation is the finished work of Christ, accomplished through His death, bringing the world back into relationship with God.
Verse 20: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
Paul's direct appeal to the Corinthians to "be ye reconciled to God" serves as a concise summary of the appeal he extends globally. Reconciliation, in the Christian context, is the daily renewal of loving fellowship with God, re-established after a period of estrangement.
Verse 21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
The verse illustrates the doctrine of imputation:
God Imputed Our Sin to Christ: As the righteous judge, God assigned the full responsibility and penalty of our sin to Christ. This substitutionary act made it possible for Christ to be justly punished in our place.
God Imputed Christ's Righteousness to Us: The ultimate purpose ("That we might be made the righteousness of God in him") is that God also counts Christ’s perfect righteousness as belonging to us.
This dual imputation is the foundation for our ongoing sanctification. Christ's righteousness becomes the basis for the gradual development of God’s righteousness in our moral character, affecting our thoughts and deeds until we achieve perfect righteousness in heaven.
