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Summary

2 Corinthians 5:1–5 – Longing for the Heavenly Dwelling

What happens: Paul describes the earthly body as a tent and longs for the heavenly building from God. He groans, not to be unclothed but further clothed, so mortality is swallowed up by life. God gives the Spirit as a guarantee.

What it means: God promises a future resurrection body, showing His faithfulness to redeem fully. The Spirit assures believers of that hope. This strengthens courage in present weakness.


2 Corinthians 5:6–10 – Aim to Please the Lord

What happens: Being at home in the body means away from the Lord by sight, so Paul walks by faith. Whether at home or away, his aim is to please the Lord. All must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due.

What it means: Life is lived before God. Reverence and accountability motivate holy living. God is just, and pleasing Him is the goal of every season.


2 Corinthians 5:11–15 – Controlled by Christ’s Love

What happens: Knowing the fear of the Lord, Paul persuades others and hopes to be known by God and the Corinthians. The love of Christ controls him, because one died for all so that those who live no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and was raised.

What it means: Christ’s cross reorients life from self to Savior. God’s love and holiness compel mission. True worship is living for Jesus.


2 Corinthians 5:16–21 – New Creation and Ministry of Reconciliation

What happens: Paul no longer regards anyone according to the flesh. In Christ, there is a new creation. God reconciles us to Himself through Christ and gives us the ministry of reconciliation. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we become the righteousness of God.

What it means: The gospel brings a new identity and a new mission. God, in mercy and justice, reconciles sinners through Jesus’ substitution. Believers are ambassadors who carry God’s appeal to the world.


Application

  • Let the Spirit’s guarantee steady you in bodily weakness and future hope.
  • Make it your ambition to please Christ in all things.
  • Live for Jesus, not for self, because He died and rose for you.
  • Act as Christ’s ambassador, urging others to be reconciled to God.

Bible

1For 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.

2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

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

4For 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.

5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

6Therefore 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:)

8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

10For 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.

11Knowing 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.

12For 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.

13For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15And 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.

16Wherefore 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.

17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19To 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.

20Now 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.

21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

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