2 Corinthians 5

==2 Corinthians 5:1-4==
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.
The earthly house/tabernacle in this context is a metaphor for the physical human body. Paul, then compares the temporal human body to the spiritual Temple that is the church. This cannot be a reference to human body for a number of reasons:
# This building of God not made with hands already exists.
# It is in the heavens (plural) rather than Heaven (singular) which has reference to metaphorical things
# It was something that could be sought after and obtained in order not to be found naked.
# They sought to swallow up their frail, physical mortality in spiritual life so that when physical death did occur, it would be overshadowed by the spiritual life in Christ and would be rendered moot.
This house/building is the spiritual Temple of which Christians are all a part. The clothing are the robes of white, the spiritual righteousness that is found in Christ. If we are found clothed in this robes when our tabernacle is dissolved, it means we are a part of the Temple of God and need have no fear of physical death. Our mortality is already swallowed up in life and we are assured of physical resurrection, transformation, and ascension just as Christ underwent (1 Corinthians 15).
==2 Corinthians 5:5-8==
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.
The word "Spirit" should not be capitalized in this context. The earnest of the spirit, as discussed in 2 Corinthians 1, is the engrafted Word that is synonymous with obedient faith. This is the earnest, the down-payment to show good faith in providing all the promises to us. Remember, this is the spirit of holiness within our hearts, not the Holy Spirit in our bodies the way the Apostles were indwelt.
Because of this down-payment Paul and the Corinthians were always confident while in this physical state. They knew that though they were not in the presence of Christ physically that one day they would leave this physical state and go to be with Christ. Absent from the body is a reference to leaving behind the physical self that is now as we will be transformed into a new, heavenly body right before we go to Heaven as described in 1 Corinthians 15. The old physical body will no longer exist at that point and we will get to be with Christ eternally.
Herein also is faith shown to be of the mind rather than through physical observations of tangible things, just like Hebrews 11:1.
==2 Corinthians 5:9-11==
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.
More references to work from Paul. Paul writes here that they work in order to be accepted by Christ. Another devastating passage to those who preach a lazy salvation and eternal security. These Christians were already saved, yet they had to continue to work to be accepted by Christ. He emphasizes this by explaining that "we" (Paul and the Corinthian Christians, and by implication all men of all time) will be judged. This judgment will be according to the things done in life, good or evil. If, as a Christian, they did evil, they would receive the reward for that. If they did good, then they would be rewarded for that.
Paul then says that they, Christians, knew a healthy fear of Christ, a fear of judgment for evil done. Because this fear is one type of motivation they had, they attempted to persuade others through the preaching of the gospel. This preaching was done in part to save others, but also because it was commanded by God and necessary to maintain the salvation of the Christian's soul out of continued obedience to God.
Once Saved Always Saved/Eternal Security is flat out contradictory to this passage and therefore a lie.
==2 Corinthians 5:12-13==
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.
Paul then draws this back to practical things. He writes that in preaching the gospel abroad, and the Corinthians as partakers in that work, should celebrate, boast even about the glory of God. It was such a triumphant thing that Paul even compares his joy over their work like being out of their mind. This joy was to God's glory, for their sakes to lift them up in this time of persecution.
==2 Corinthians 5:14-15==
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.
The love that Christ had for them binds them to an understanding. IF Christ died for all, then all were already [spiritually] dead. That Christ died for all, those who are made alive [spiritually] in Him no longer live for themselves, but for Christ who died for them and rose again (Gal. 2:20). There is another reference to Christ's resurrection, showing once more the type of resurrection they individually would look forward to, though they faced physical death.
==2 Corinthians 5:16==
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 is essentially saying that the things they do are not from men but from Christ, even the things that the Apostles once witnessed with their own eyes. The source of their joy, hope, and teaching was not from themselves but from God.
==2 Corinthians 5:17==
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This verse in the beginning is a reference to the truths of Romans 6. Individually, men become new creatures in Christ. This recreation of individuals through immersion into Christ is an indication that all old things were passing away and all things were becoming new. This is the last days, the period when God is ending the Jewish kingdom and setting up the new kingdom. Paul makes a move from the individual to the kingdom of Christ at large and refers then to the establishment period of the church, a then ongoing process from cross to full delivery of the inspired Word.
==2 Corinthians 5:18-19==
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.
Paul writes of himself and the Christians at Corinth as already reconciled to God past tense. This is the Romans 6 event. For the purpose of establishing the kingdom, they as Christians then continue to preach reconciliation of man to God through Christ. Even today, we "spread the borders of the kingdom" through preaching the gospel because our kingdom is not about location and physical boundaries, but about citizens and the minds of men.
==2 Corinthians 5:20-21==
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.
As they then converted the nations of the world to the nation of Christ, Paul compares Christians of his day to ambassadors. As such, they needed to maintain their state of reconciliation (again, Eternal Security is a lie).
Christ was made sin for us, though He never sinned. In Christ, then, we are made the righteousness of God showing that God always keeps His promises and is able to provide and sustain.
In Truth and Love.
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Category:Apocalyptic