2 Corinthians 5:1-21 King James Version (KJV)

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.

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.

2 Corinthians 5:1-21 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

¹ For ^G1063 we know ^G1492 that ^G3754 if ^G1437 our ^G2257 earthly ^G1919 house ^G3614 of this tabernacle ^G4636 were dissolved, ^G2647 we have ^G2192 a building ^G3619 of ^G1537 God, ^G2316 an house ^G3614 not made with hands, ^G886 eternal ^G166 in ^G1722 the heavens. ^G3772

² For ^G2532 ^G1063 in ^G1722 this ^G5129 we groan, ^G4727 earnestly desiring ^G1971 to be clothed upon ^G1902 with our ^G2257 house ^G3613 which ^G3588 is from ^G1537 heaven: ^G3772

³ If ^G1489 so ^G2532 be that being clothed ^G1746 we shall ^G2147 not ^G3756 be found ^G2147 naked. ^G1131

⁴ For ^G2532 ^G1063 we that are ^G5607 in ^G1722 this tabernacle ^G4636 do groan, ^G4727 being burdened: ^G916 not ^G3756 for that ^G1894 we would ^G2309 be unclothed, ^G1562 but ^G235 clothed upon, ^G1902 that ^G2443 mortality ^G2349 might be swallowed up ^G2666 of ^G5259 life. ^G2222

⁵ Now ^G1161 he that hath wrought ^G2716 us ^G2248 for ^G1519 the selfsame thing ^G846 ^G5124 is God, ^G2316 who ^G3588 also ^G2532 hath given ^G1325 unto us ^G2254 the earnest ^G728 of the Spirit. ^G4151

⁶ Therefore ^G3767 ^G2532 we are always ^G3842 confident, ^G2292 knowing ^G1492 that, ^G3754 whilst we are at home ^G1736 in ^G1722 the body, ^G4983 we are absent ^G1553 from ^G575 the Lord: ^G2962

⁷ (For ^G1063 we walk ^G4043 by ^G1223 faith, ^G4102 not ^G3756 by ^G1223 sight:) ^G1491

⁸ We are confident, ^G2292 I say, and ^G1161 ^G2532 willing ^G2106 rather ^G3123 to be absent ^G1553 from ^G1537 the body, ^G4983 and ^G2532 to be present ^G1736 with ^G4314 the Lord. ^G2962

⁹ Wherefore ^G1352 we labour, ^G5389 that, ^G2532 whether ^G1535 present ^G1736 or ^G1535 absent, ^G1553 we may be ^G1511 accepted ^G2101 of him. ^G846

¹⁰ For ^G1063 we ^G2248 must ^G1163 all ^G3956 appear ^G5319 before ^G1715 the judgment seat ^G968 of Christ; ^G5547 that ^G2443 every one ^G1538 may receive ^G2865 the things done in ^G1223 his body, ^G4983 according ^G4314 to that ^G3739 he hath done, ^G4238 whether ^G1535 it be good ^G18 or ^G1535 bad. ^G2556

¹¹ Knowing ^G1492 therefore ^G3767 the terror ^G5401 of the Lord, ^G2962 we persuade ^G3982 men; ^G444 but ^G1161 we are made manifest ^G5319 unto God; ^G2316 and ^G1161 I trust ^G1679 also ^G2532 are made manifest ^G5319 in ^G1722 your ^G5216 consciences. ^G4893

¹² For ^G1063 we commend ^G4921 not ^G3756 ourselves ^G1438 again ^G3825 unto you, ^G5213 but ^G235 give ^G1325 you ^G5213 occasion ^G874 to glory ^G2745 on ^G5228 our ^G2257 behalf, ^G5228 that ^G2443 ye may have ^G2192 somewhat to ^G4314 answer them which glory ^G2744 in ^G1722 appearance, ^G4383 and ^G2532 not ^G3756 in heart. ^G2588

¹³ For ^G1063 whether ^G1535 we be beside ourselves, ^G1839 it is to God: ^G2316 or whether ^G1535 we be sober, ^G4993 it is for your cause. ^G5213

¹⁴ For ^G1063 the love ^G26 of Christ ^G5547 constraineth ^G4912 us; ^G2248 because we thus ^G5124 judge, ^G2919 that ^G3754 if ^G1487 one ^G1520 died ^G599 for ^G5228 all, ^G3956 then ^G686 were ^G599 all ^G3956 dead: ^G599

¹⁵ And ^G2532 that he died ^G599 for ^G5228 all, ^G3956 that ^G2443 they which live ^G2198 should ^G2198 not henceforth ^G3371 live ^G2198 unto themselves, ^G1438 but ^G235 unto him which died ^G599 for ^G5228 them, ^G846 and ^G2532 rose again. ^G1453

¹⁶ Wherefore ^G5620 henceforth ^G575 ^G3568 know ^G1492 we ^G2249 no man ^G3762 after ^G2596 the flesh: ^G4561 yea, ^G1161 though ^G1499 we have known ^G1097 Christ ^G5547 after ^G2596 the flesh, ^G4561 yet ^G235 now ^G3568 henceforth ^G3765 know we ^G1097 him no more. ^G3765

¹⁷ Therefore ^G5620 if any man ^G1536 be in ^G1722 Christ, ^G5547 he is a new ^G2537 creature: ^G2937 old things ^G744 are passed away; ^G3928 behold, ^G2400 all things ^G3956 are become ^G1096 new. ^G2537

¹⁸ And ^G1161 all things ^G3956 are of ^G1537 God, ^G2316 who ^G3588 hath reconciled ^G2644 us ^G2248 to himself ^G1438 by ^G1223 Jesus ^G2424 Christ, ^G5547 and ^G2532 hath given ^G1325 to us ^G2254 the ministry ^G1248 of reconciliation; ^G2643

¹⁹ To wit, ^G5613 that ^G3754 God ^G2316 was ^G2258 in ^G1722 Christ, ^G5547 reconciling ^G2644 the world ^G2889 unto himself, ^G1438 not ^G3361 imputing ^G3049 their ^G846 trespasses ^G3900 unto them; ^G846 and ^G2532 hath committed ^G5087 unto ^G1722 us ^G2254 the word ^G3056 of reconciliation. ^G2643

²⁰ Now then ^G3767 we are ambassadors ^G4243 for ^G5228 Christ, ^G5547 as though ^G5613 God ^G2316 did beseech ^G3870 you by ^G1223 us: ^G2257 we pray ^G1189 you in ^G5228 Christ's ^G5547 stead, ^G5228 be ye reconciled ^G2644 to God. ^G2316

²¹ For ^G1063 he hath made ^G4160 him to be sin ^G266 for ^G5228 us, ^G2257 who ^G3588 knew ^G1097 no ^G3361 sin; ^G266 that ^G2443 we ^G2249 might be made ^G1096 the righteousness ^G1343 of God ^G2316 in ^G1722 him. ^G846

2 Corinthians 5:1-21 American Standard (ASV)

¹ For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

² For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven:

³ if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

⁴ For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.

⁵ Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

⁶ Being therefore always of good courage, and 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 of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

⁹ Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.

¹⁰ For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things `done' in the body, according to what he hath done, whether `it be' good or bad.

¹¹ Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

¹² We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but `speak' as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.

¹³ For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.

¹⁴ For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;

¹⁵ and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.

¹⁶ Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know `him so' no more.

¹⁷ Wherefore if any man is in Christ, `he is' a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

¹⁸ But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰ We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech `you' on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.

²¹ Him who knew no sin he made `to be' sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:1-21 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

¹ For we have known that if our earthly house of the tabernacle may be thrown down, a building from God we have, an house not made with hands -- age-during -- in the heavens,

² for also in this we groan, with our dwelling that is from heaven earnestly desiring to clothe ourselves,

³ if so be that, having clothed ourselves, we shall not be found naked,

⁴ for we also who are in the tabernacle do groan, being burdened, seeing we wish not to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves, that the mortal may be swallowed up of the life.

⁵ And He who did work us to this self-same thing `is' God, who also did give to us the earnest of the Spirit;

⁶ having courage, then, at all times, and knowing that being at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord, --

⁷ for through faith we walk, not through sight --

⁸ we have courage, and are well pleased rather to be away from the home of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

⁹ Wherefore also we are ambitious, whether at home or away from home, to be well pleasing to him,

¹⁰ for all of us it behoveth to be manifested before the tribunal of the Christ, that each one may receive the things `done' through the body, in reference to the things that he did, whether good or evil;

¹¹ having known, therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, and to God we are manifested, and I hope also in your consciences to have been manifested;

¹² for not again ourselves do we recommend to you, but we are giving occasion to you of glorifying in our behalf, that ye may have `something' in reference to those glorifying in face and not in heart;

¹³ for whether we were beside ourselves, `it was' to God; whether we be of sound mind -- `it is' to you,

¹⁴ for the love of the Christ doth constrain us, having judged thus: that if one for all died, then the whole died,

¹⁵ and for all he died, that those living, no more to themselves may live, but to him who died for them, and was raised again.

¹⁶ So that we henceforth have known no one according to the flesh, and even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him no more;

¹⁷ so that if any one `is' in Christ -- `he is' a new creature; the old things did pass away, lo, become new have the all things.

¹⁸ And the all things `are' of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and did give to us the ministration of the reconciliation,

¹⁹ how that God was in Christ -- a world reconciling to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses; and having put in us the word of the reconciliation,

²⁰ in behalf of Christ, then, we are ambassadors, as if God were calling through us, we beseech, in behalf of Christ, `Be ye reconciled to God;'

²¹ for him who did not know sin, in our behalf He did make sin, that we may become the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:1-21 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

¹ For we know that if our earthly tabernacle house be destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

² For indeed in this we groan, ardently desiring to have put on our house which [is] from heaven;

³ if indeed being also clothed we shall not be found naked.

⁴ For indeed we who are in the tabernacle groan, being burdened; while yet we do not wish to be unclothed, but clothed, that [what is] mortal may be swallowed up by life.

⁵ Now he that has wrought us for this very thing [is] God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit.

⁶ Therefore [we are] always confident, and know that while present 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 pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

⁹ Wherefore also we are zealous, whether present or absent, to be agreeable to him.

¹⁰ For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ, that each may receive the things [done] in the body, according to those he has done, whether [it be] good or evil.

¹¹ Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men, but have been manifested to God, and I hope also that we have been manifested in your consciences.

¹² [For] we do not again commend ourselves to you, but [we are] giving to you occasion of boast in our behalf, that ye may have [such] with those boasting in countenance, and not in heart.

¹³ For whether we are beside ourselves, [it is] to God; or are sober, [it is] for you.

¹⁴ For the love of the Christ constrains us, having judged this: that one died for all, then all have died;

¹⁵ and he died for all, that they who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who died for them and has been raised.

¹⁶ So that *we* henceforth know no one according to flesh; but if even we have known Christ according to flesh, yet now we know [him thus] no longer.

¹⁷ So if any one [be] in Christ, [there is] a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold all things have become new:

¹⁸ and all things [are] of the God who has reconciled us to himself by [Jesus] Christ, and given to us the ministry of that reconciliation:

¹⁹ how that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their offences; and putting in us the word of that reconciliation.

²⁰ We are ambassadors therefore for Christ, God as [it were] beseeching by us, we entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God.

²¹ Him who knew not sin he has made sin for us, that *we* might become God's righteousness in him.

2 Corinthians 5:1-21 World English Bible (WEB)

¹ For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

² For most assuredly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven;

³ if so be that being clothed we will not be found naked.

⁴ For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

⁵ Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.

⁶ Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, while 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 of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

⁹ Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.

¹⁰ For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

¹¹ Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

¹² For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.

¹³ For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.

¹⁴ For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.

¹⁵ He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

¹⁶ Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

¹⁷ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

¹⁸ But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰ We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

²¹ For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:1-21 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

¹ For we are conscious that if this our tent of flesh is taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in heaven.

² For in this we are crying in weariness, greatly desiring to be clothed with our house from heaven:

³ So that our spirits may not be unclothed.

⁴ For truly, we who are in this tent do give out cries of weariness, for the weight of care which is on us; not because we are desiring to be free from the body, but so that we may have our new body, and death may be overcome by life.

⁵ Now he who has made us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a witness of what is to come.

⁶ So, then, we are ever without fear, and though conscious that while we are in the body we are away from the Lord,

⁷ (For we are walking by faith, not by seeing,)

⁸ We are without fear, desiring to be free from the body, and to be with the Lord.

⁹ For this reason we make it our purpose, in the body or away from it, to be well-pleasing to him.

¹⁰ For we all have to come before Christ to be judged; so that every one of us may get his reward for the things done in the body, good or bad.

¹¹ Having in mind, then, the fear of the Lord, we put these things before men, but God sees our hearts; and it is my hope that we may seem right in your eyes.

¹² We are not again requesting your approval, but we are giving you the chance of taking pride in us, so that you may be able to give an answer to those whose glory is in seeming, and not in the heart.

¹³ For if we are foolish, it is to God; or if we are serious, it is for you.

¹⁴ For it is the love of Christ which is moving us; because we are of the opinion that if one was put to death for all, then all have undergone death;

¹⁵ And that he underwent death for all, so that the living might no longer be living to themselves, but to him who underwent death for them and came back from the dead.

¹⁶ For this reason, from this time forward we have knowledge of no man after the flesh: even if we have had knowledge of Christ after the flesh, we have no longer any such knowledge.

¹⁷ So if any man is in Christ, he is in a new world: the old things have come to an end; they have truly become new.

¹⁸ But all things are of God, who has made us at peace with himself through Christ, and has given to us the work of making peace;

¹⁹ That is, that God was in Christ making peace between the world and himself, not putting their sins to their account, and having given to us the preaching of this news of peace.

²⁰ So we are the representatives of Christ, as if God was making a request to you through us: we make our request to you, in the name of Christ, be at peace with God.

²¹ For him who had no knowledge of sin God made to be sin for us; so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 5

The apostle proceeds in showing the reasons why they did not faint under their afflictions, namely, their expectation, desire, and assurance of happiness after death (v. 1-5), and deduces an inference for the comfort of believers in their present state (v. 6-8), and another to quicken them in their duty (v. 9-11). Then he makes an apology for seeming to commend himself, and gives a good reason for his zeal and diligence (v. 12-15), and mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, regeneration and reconciliation (v. 16-21).

2Cr 5:1-11

The apostle in these verses pursues the argument of the former chapter, concerning the grounds of their courage and patience under afflictions. And,

I. He mentions their expectation, and desire, and assurance, of eternal happiness after death, v. 1-5. Observe particularly,
- 1. The believer's expectation of eternal happiness after death, v. 1. He does not only know, or is well assured by faith of the truth and reality of the thing itself-that there is another and a happy life after this present life is ended, but he has good hope through grace of his interest in that everlasting blessedness of the unseen world: "We know that we have a building of God, we have a firm and well-grounded expectation of the future felicity.' Let us take notice,
  - (1.) What heaven is in the eye and hope of a believer. He looks upon it as a house, or habitation, a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a hiding-place, our Father's house, where there are many mansions, and our everlasting home. It is a house in the heavens, in that high and holy place which as far excels all the palaces of this earth as the heavens are high above the earth. It is a building of God, whose builder and maker is God, and therefore is worthy of its author; the happiness of the future state is what God hath prepared for those that love him. It is eternal in the heavens, everlasting habitations, not like the earthly tabernacles, the poor cottages of clay in which our souls now dwell, which are mouldering and decaying, and whose foundations are in the dust.
  - (2.) When it is expected this happiness shall be enjoyed-immediately after death, so soon as our house of this earthly tabernacle is dissolved. Note,
    - [1.] That the body, this earthly house, is but a tabernacle, that must be dissolved shortly; the nails or pins will be drawn, and the cords be loosed, and then the body will return to dust as it was.
    - [2.] When this comes to pass, then comes the house not made with hands. The spirit returns to God who gave it; and such as have walked with God here shall dwell with God for ever.
- 2. The believer's earnest desire after this future blessedness, which is expressed by this word, stenazomen-we groan, which denotes,
  - (1.) A groaning of sorrow under a heavy load; so believers groan under the burden of life: In this we groan earnestly, v. 2. We that are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened, v. 4. The body of flesh is a heavy burden, the calamities of life are a heavy load. But believers groan because burdened with a body of sin, and the many corruptions that are still remaining and raging in them. This makes them complain, O wretched man that I am! Rom. 7:24.
  - (2.) There is a groaning of desire after the happiness of another life; and thus believers groan: Earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven (v. 2), to obtain a blessed immortality, that mortality might be swallowed up of life (v. 4), that being found clothed, we may not be naked (v. 3), that, if it were the will of God, we might not sleep, but be changed; for it is not desirable in itself to be unclothed. Death considered merely as a separation of soul and body is not to be desired, but rather dreaded; but, considered as a passage to glory, the believer is willing rather to die than live, to be absent from the body, that he may be present with the Lord (v. 1), to leave this body that he may go to Christ, and to put off these rags of mortality that he may put on the robes of glory. Note,
    - [1.] Death will strip us of the clothing of flesh, and all the comforts of life, as well as put an end to all our troubles here below. Naked we came into this world, and naked shall we go out of it. But,
    - [2.] Gracious souls are not found naked in the other world; no, they are clothed with garments of praise, with robes of righteousness and glory. They shall be delivered out of all their troubles, and shall have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Rev. 7:14.
- 3. The believer's assurance of his interest in this future blessedness, on a double account:-
  - (1.) From the experience of the grace of God, in preparing and making him meet for this blessedness. He that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, v. 5. Note, All who are designed for heaven hereafter are wrought or prepared for heaven while they are here; the stones of that spiritual building and temple above are squared and fashioned here below. And he that hath wrought us for this is God, because nothing less than a divine power can make a soul partaker of a divine nature; no hand less than the hand of God can work us for this thing. A great deal is to be done to prepare our souls for heaven, and that preparation of the heart is from the Lord.
  - (2.) The earnest of the Spirit gave them this assurance: for an earnest is part of payment, and secures the full payment. The present graces and comforts of the Spirit are earnests of everlasting grace and comfort.
II. The apostle deduces an inference for the comfort of believers in their present state and condition in this world, v. 6-8. Here observe,
- 1. What their present state or condition is: they are absent from the Lord (v. 6); they are pilgrims and strangers in this world; they do but sojourn here in their earthly home, or in this tabernacle; 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: we cannot see his face while we live: For we walk by faith, not by sight, v. 7. We have not the vision and fruition of God, as of an object that is present with us, and as we hope for hereafter, when we shall see as we are seen. Note, Faith is for this world, and sight is reserved for the other world: and it is our duty, and will be our interest, to walk by faith, till we come to live by sight.
- 2. How comfortable and courageous we ought to be in all the troubles of life, and in the hour of death: Therefore we are, or ought to be, always confident (v. 6), and again (v. 8), We are confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body. True Christians, if they duly considered the prospect faith gives them of another world, and the good reasons of their hope of blessedness after death, would be comforted under the troubles of life, and supported in the hour of death: they should take courage, when they are encountering the last enemy, and be willing rather to die than live, when it is the will of God that they should put off this tabernacle. Note, As those who are born from above long to be there, so it is but being absent from the body, and we shall very soon be present with the Lord-but to die, and be with Christ-but to close our eyes to all things in this world, and we shall open them in a world of glory. Faith will be turned into sight.
III. He proceeds to deduce an inference to excite and quicken himself and others to duty, v. 9-11. So it is that well-grounded hopes of heaven will be far from giving the least encouragement to sloth and sinful security; on the contrary, they should stir us up to use the greatest care and diligence in religion: Wherefore, or because we hope to be present with the Lord, we labour and take pains, v. 9. Philotimoumetha-We are ambitious, and labour as industriously as the most ambitious men do to obtain what they aim at. Here observe,
- 1. What it was that the apostle was thus ambitious of-acceptance with God. We labour that, living and dying, whether present in the body or absent from the body, we may be accepted of him, the Lord (v. 9), that we may please him who hath chosen us, that our great Lord may say to us, Well done. This they coveted as the greatest favour and the highest honour: it was the summit of their ambition.
- 2. What further quickening motives they had to excite their diligence, from the consideration of the judgment to come, v. 10, 11. There are many things relating to this great matter that should awe the best of men into the utmost care and diligence in religion; for example, the certainty of this judgment, for we must appear; the universality of it, for we must all appear; the great Judge before whose judgment-seat we must appear, the Lord Jesus Christ, who himself will appear in flaming fire; the recompence to be then received, for things done in the body, which will be very particular (unto every one), and very just, according to what we have done, whether good or bad. The apostle calls this awful judgment the terror of the Lord (v. 11), and, by the consideration thereof, was excited to persuade men to repent, and live a holy life, that, when Christ shall appear terribly, they may appear before him comfortably. And, concerning his fidelity and diligence, he comfortably appeals unto God, and the consciences of those he wrote to: We are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

2Cr 5:12-15

Here observe,

I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend himself and his fellow-labourers (v. 13), and tells them,
- 1. It was not to commend themselves, nor for their own sakes, that he had spoken of their fidelity and diligence in the former verses; nor was he willing to suspect their good opinion of him. But,
- 2. The true reason was this, to put an argument in their mouths wherewith to answer his accusers, who made vain boastings, and gloried in appearances only; that he might give them an occasion to glory on their behalf, or to defend them against the reproaches of their adversaries. And if the people can say that the word has been manifested to their consciences, and been effectual to their conversion and edification, this is the best defence they can make for the ministry of the word, when they are vilified and reproached.
II. He gives good reasons for their great zeal and diligence. Some of Paul's adversaries had, it is likely, reproached him for his zeal and fervour, as if he had been a madman, or, in the language of our days, a fanatic; they imputed all to enthusiasm, as the Roman governor told him, Much learning has made thee mad, Acts 26:24. But the apostle tells them,
- 1. It was for the glory of God, and the good of the church, that he was thus zealous and industrious: "Whether we be beside ourselves, or whether we be sober (whether you or others do think the one or the other), it is to God, and for his glory: and it is for your cause, or to promote your good,' v. 13. If they manifested the greatest ardour and vehemency at some times, and used the greatest calmness in strong reasonings at other times, it was for the best ends; and in both methods they had good reason for what they did. For,
- 2. The love of Christ constrained them, v. 14. They were under the sweetest and strongest constraints to do what they did. Love has a constraining virtue to excite ministers and private Christians in their duty. Our love to Christ will have this virtue; and Christ's love to us, which was manifested in this great instance of his dying for us, will have this effect upon us, if it be duly considered and rightly judged of. For observe how the apostle argues for the reasonableness of love's constraints, and declares,
  - (1.) What we were before, and must have continued to be, had not Christ died for us: We were dead, v. 14. If one died for all, then were all dead; dead in law, under sentence of death; dead in sins and trespasses, spiritually dead. Note, This was the deplorable condition of all those for whom Christ died: they were lost and undone, dead and ruined, and must have remained thus miserable for ever if Christ had not died for them.
  - (2.) What such should do, for whom Christ died; namely, that they should live to him. This is what Christ designed, that those who live, who are made alive unto God by means of his death, should live to him that died for them, and rose again for their sakes also, and that they should not live to themselves, v. 15. Note, We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living and actions: and it was one end of Christ's death to cure us of this self-love, and to excite us always to act under the commanding influence of his love. A Christian's life should be consecrated to Christ; and then do we live as we ought to live when we live to Christ, who died for us.

2Cr 5:16-21

In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation.

I. Regeneration, which consists of two things; namely,
- 1. Weanedness from the world: "Henceforth we know no man after the flesh, v. 16. We do not own nor affect any person or thing in this world for carnal ends and outward advantage: we are enabled, by divine grace, not to mind nor regard this world, nor the things of this world, but to live above it. The love of Christ is in our hearts, and the world is under our feet.' Note, Good Christians must enjoy the comforts of this life, and their relations in this world, with a holy indifference. Yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet, says the apostle, we know him no more. It is questioned whether Paul had seen Christ in the flesh. However, the rest of the apostles had, and so might some among those he was now writing to. However, he would not have them value themselves upon that account; for even the bodily presence of Christ is not to be desired nor doted upon by his disciples. We must live upon his spiritual presence, and the comfort it affords. Note, Those who make images of Christ, and use them in their worship, do not take the way that God has appointed for strengthening their faith and quickening their affections; for it is the will of God that we should not know Christ any more after the flesh.
- 2. A thorough change of the heart: For if any man be in Christ, if any man be a Christian indeed, and will approve himself such, he is, or he must be, a new creature, v. 17. Some read it, Let him be a new creature. This ought to be the care of all who profess the Christian faith, that they be new creatures; not only that they have a new name, and wear a new livery, but that they have a new heart and new nature. And so great is the change the grace of God makes in the soul, that, as it follows, old things are passed away-old thoughts, old principles, and old practices, are passed away; and all these things must become new. Note, Regenerating grace creates a new world in the soul; all things are new. The renewed man acts from new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company.
II. Reconciliation, which is here spoken of under a double notion:-
- 1. As an unquestionable privilege, v. 18, 19. Reconciliation supposes a quarrel, or breach of friendship; and sin has made a breach, it has broken the friendship between God and man. The heart of the sinner is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with the sinner. Yet, behold, there may be a reconciliation; the offended Majesty of heaven is willing to be reconciled. And observe,
  - (1.) He has appointed the Mediator of reconciliation. He has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, v. 18. God is to be owned from first to last in the undertaking and performance of the Mediator. All things relating to our reconciliation by Jesus Christ are of God, who by the mediation of Jesus Christ has reconciled the world to himself, and put himself into a capacity of being actually reconciled to offenders, without any wrong or injury to his justice or holiness, and does not impute to men their trespasses, but recedes from the rigour of the first covenant, which was broken, and does not insist upon the advantage he might justly take against us for the breach of that covenant, but is willing to enter into a new treaty, and into a new covenant of grace, and, according to the tenour thereof, freely to forgive us all our sins, and justify freely by his grace all those who do believe.
  - (2.) He has appointed the ministry of reconciliation, v. 18. By the inspiration of God the scriptures were written, which contain the word of reconciliation, showing us that peace was made by the blood of the cross, that reconciliation is wrought, and directing us how we may be interested therein. And he has appointed the office of the ministry, which is a ministry of reconciliation: ministers are to open and proclaim to sinners the terms of mercy and reconciliation, and persuade them to comply therewith. For,
- 2. Reconciliation is here spoken of as our indispensable duty, v. 20. As God is willing to be reconciled to us, we ought to be reconciled to God. And it is the great end and design of the gospel, that word of reconciliation, to prevail upon sinners to lay aside their enmity against God. Faithful ministers are Christ's ambassadors, sent to treat with sinners on peace and reconciliation: they come in God's name, with his entreaties, and act in Christ's stead, doing the very thing he did when he was upon this earth, and what he wills to be done now that he is in heaven. Wonderful condescension! Though God can be no loser by the quarrel, nor gainer by the peace, yet by his ministers he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept of the terms he offers, that they would be reconciled to him, to all his attributes, to all his laws, and to all his providences, to believe in the Mediator, to accept the atonement, and comply with his gospel, in all the parts of it and in the whole design of it. And for our encouragement so to do the apostle subjoins what should be well known and duly considered by us (v. 21), namely,
  - (1.) The purity of the Mediator: He knew no sin.
  - (2.) The sacrifice he offered: He was made sin; not a sinner, but sin, that is, a sin-offering, a sacrifice for sin.
  - (3.) The end and design of all this: 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. Note,
    - [1.] As Christ, who knew no sin of his own, was made sin for us, so we, who have no righteousness of our own, are made the righteousness of God in him.
    - [2.] Our reconciliation to God is only through Jesus Christ, and for the sake of his merit: on him therefore we must rely, and make mention of his righteousness and his only.

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