2 Corinthians 5:1-10 - Longing To Be "at Home With The Lord"
This mortal life is a pilgrimage, and our body is a tent, so slight, so transitory, so easily taken down; but what does it matter, since there is awaiting us a mansion prepared by God? Often in this veil of flesh we groan. It cages us, anchors us down to earth, hampers us with its needs, obstructs our vision, and becomes the medium of temptation. How good it would be if our physical body could be suddenly transmuted into the glorified ethereal body which should be like the resurrection body of our Lord! It would be sweet to escape the wrench of death. But if not, then through death we shall carry with us the germ of the glorified body. That which shall be quickened will first die, but God will give it a body as it shall please Him.
The gate of death may look gloomy on this side, but on the other it is of burnished gold, and opens directly into the presence-chamber of Jesus. We long to see Him and to be with Him; and such desires are the work of the Holy Spirit and the first fruits of heaven. But remember that just inside the door there is Christ's judgment seat, where He will adjudge our life and apportion our reward. Prepare, my soul, to give an account of thy talents! [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 5
1That in his assured hope of immortal glory, 9and in expectation of it, he labors to keep a good conscience; 12not that he may boast of himself, 14but as one that, having received life from Christ, 17endeavors to live as a new creature to Christ only, 18and by his ministry of reconciliation, to reconcile others also in Christ to God
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 5:3
Being clothed [ενδυσαμενοι] First aorist middle participle, having put on the garment. [source]
Naked [γυμνοι] That is, disembodied spirits, “like the souls in Sheol, without form, and void of all power of activity” (Plummer). [source]
Naked [γυμνοὶ] Without a body. The word was used by Greek writers of disembodied spirits. See the quotation from Plato's “Gorgias” in note on Luke 12:20; also “Cratylus,” 403, where, speaking of Pluto, Socrates says: “The foolish fears which people have of him, such as the fear of being always with him after death, and of the soul denuded ( γυμνὴ ) of the body going to him.” Stanley cites Herodotus' story of Melissa, the Corinthian queen, who appeared to her husband after death, entreating him to burn dresses for her as a covering for her disembodied spirit (v., 92). The whole expression, being clothed - naked is equivalent to we shall not be found naked because we shall be clothed. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 5:3
2 Peter 1:14Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle [ταχινή ἐστιν ἡ ἀπόθεσις τοῦ σκηνώματός μου] Lit., quick is the putting off of my tabernacle. Rev., the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly. Possibly in allusion to his advanced age. Putting off is a metaphor, from putting off a garment. So Paul, 2 Corinthians 5:3,2 Corinthians 5:4, being clothed, unclothed, clothed upon. The word occurs, also, 1 Peter 3:21, and is used by Peter only. Cometh swiftly, implying the speedy approach of death; though others understand it of the quick, violent death which Christ prophesied he should die. “Even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.” See John 21:18,John 21:19. Compare, also John 13:36, and note the word follow in both passages. “Peter had now learnt the full force of Christ's sayings, and to what end the following of Jesus was to bring him” (Lumby). [source]
2 Peter 3:14Give diligence [σπουδασατε] As in 2 Peter 1:10.That ye may be found (ευρετηναι heurethēnai). First aorist passive infinitive (cf. ευρετησεται heurethēsetai in 2 Peter 3:10). For this use of ευρισκω heuriskō about the end see 2 Corinthians 5:3; Philemon 3:9; 1 Peter 1:7.Without spot and blameless Predicate nominative after ευρετηναι heurethēnai See 2 Peter 2:13 for position words σπιλοι και μωμοι spiloi kai mōmoi and 1 Peter 1:19 for αμωμος amōmos (so Judges 1:24) και ασπιλος kai aspilos (so James 1:27). Αμωμητος Amōmētos (old verbal of μωμαομαι mōmaomai) only here in N.T. save some MSS. in Philemon 2:15. [source]
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 5:3
First aorist middle participle, having put on the garment. [source]
That is, disembodied spirits, “like the souls in Sheol, without form, and void of all power of activity” (Plummer). [source]
Assuming that. [source]
Compare Job 10:11. [source]
Without a body. The word was used by Greek writers of disembodied spirits. See the quotation from Plato's “Gorgias” in note on Luke 12:20; also “Cratylus,” 403, where, speaking of Pluto, Socrates says: “The foolish fears which people have of him, such as the fear of being always with him after death, and of the soul denuded ( γυμνὴ ) of the body going to him.” Stanley cites Herodotus' story of Melissa, the Corinthian queen, who appeared to her husband after death, entreating him to burn dresses for her as a covering for her disembodied spirit (v., 92). The whole expression, being clothed - naked is equivalent to we shall not be found naked because we shall be clothed. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 5:3
More correctly, were found: were discovered and shown to be. See Romans 6:10; 1 Corinthians 15:15; 2 Corinthians 5:3; Philemon 2:8; Philemon 3:9. [source]
First aorist (effective) passive subjunctive with ινα hina of ευρισκω heuriskō At death (2 Corinthians 5:3) or when Christ comes. Cf. Phlippians 2:8; Galatians 2:17. [source]
Lit., quick is the putting off of my tabernacle. Rev., the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly. Possibly in allusion to his advanced age. Putting off is a metaphor, from putting off a garment. So Paul, 2 Corinthians 5:3, 2 Corinthians 5:4, being clothed, unclothed, clothed upon. The word occurs, also, 1 Peter 3:21, and is used by Peter only. Cometh swiftly, implying the speedy approach of death; though others understand it of the quick, violent death which Christ prophesied he should die. “Even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.” See John 21:18, John 21:19. Compare, also John 13:36, and note the word follow in both passages. “Peter had now learnt the full force of Christ's sayings, and to what end the following of Jesus was to bring him” (Lumby). [source]
For αποτεσις apothesis see note on 1 Peter 3:21 and for σκηνωμα skēnōma see note on 2 Peter 1:13. For the metaphor see 2 Corinthians 5:3. [source]
As in 2 Peter 1:10.That ye may be found (ευρετηναι heurethēnai). First aorist passive infinitive (cf. ευρετησεται heurethēsetai in 2 Peter 3:10). For this use of ευρισκω heuriskō about the end see 2 Corinthians 5:3; Philemon 3:9; 1 Peter 1:7.Without spot and blameless Predicate nominative after ευρετηναι heurethēnai See 2 Peter 2:13 for position words σπιλοι και μωμοι spiloi kai mōmoi and 1 Peter 1:19 for αμωμος amōmos (so Judges 1:24) και ασπιλος kai aspilos (so James 1:27). Αμωμητος Amōmētos (old verbal of μωμαομαι mōmaomai) only here in N.T. save some MSS. in Philemon 2:15. [source]
First aorist passive infinitive (cf. ευρετησεται heurethēsetai in 2 Peter 3:10). For this use of ευρισκω heuriskō about the end see 2 Corinthians 5:3; Philemon 3:9; 1 Peter 1:7. [source]