2 Corinthians 5:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,

NIV: Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

NASB: Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—

CSB: So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

NLT: So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.

KJV: Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

NKJV: So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

How should Christians live if we are convinced that after we die, we will be resurrected to eternal life? How should it change us to know that we will occupy a future, eternal body which will be free of all the burden and groaning experienced by every person on earth?

Paul's answer is "courage." He and his friends who are convinced of their eternal destiny with God live with great courage. Nothing that matters can be taken from them. Everything that matters has been and will be given to them. They experience the promise as a guaranteed certainty.

In a sense, Paul is saying they have changed their expectations for this life. They understand that as long as they live in mortal bodies, on this side of eternity, they are still looking ahead to being with Christ in eternity. They also know that only the ultimate, final reunion will bring relief from all pain, suffering, burden, and groaning. Without the expectation that life on this side of heaven should be painless and perfect, they have the courage to keep going on the mission given to them by God. In fact, they live with great joy, hope, and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) despite continuing to experience pain and mortality and the longing for their home in heaven.

Second Corinthians 5:1–10 continues Paul's teaching from the previous chapter. The glory of eternity with Christ is far weightier than any suffering experienced in our temporary bodies in this life. Paul longs to occupy his eternal body, described as a permanent house built by God Himself. Knowing that is coming, Paul has the courage to risk even more suffering in order to continue the mission to preach the gospel. His one goal in this life is to please Christ. He knows that every Christian will face judgment by Christ, not to decide one's eternal destiny, but to receive what is due for our works while living in these temporary bodies.

Why does Paul endure so much suffering for preaching about Christ? He continues here his discussion of eternity, comparing our earthly bodies to living in a tent. Paul would rather live in the eternal body God has prepared for those who trust in Christ, free from the groaning and burden that afflicts everyone here. With that to look forward to, he preaches with courage that all in Christ are new creations. In Christ, God is reconciling people to Himself, not counting their sin against them. Paul implores everyone to be reconciled to God in this way through faith in Christ.

Second Corinthians 5 follows Paul's confident declarations in the previous chapter. His suffering, though severe, is only a light, momentary affliction preparing him for eternal glory beyond all comparison. He would rather occupy his eternal body, which gives him the courage to continue his mission to preach the gospel that God is reconciling people to Himself, forgiving their sin, through faith in Christ. Those in Christ become a new creation. He concludes by imploring all to be reconciled to God, which he continues to do in the following chapter.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.