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.

Verse 1
Of this tabernacle. A tabernacle is a tent,--that is, a movable and temporary dwelling,--and hence is an appropriate image of the frailty and transitoriness of the mortal body.

2.

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

Verse 2
We groan; under the burdens of anxiety and suffering.--To be clothed upon; to be invested with, or received into.

3.

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

Verse 3
The meaning seems to be, if we shall be so happy as to be thus clothed and not left destitute and 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.

Verse 4
Not for that we would be unclothed, &c. The feeling is not impatience to leave this scene of painful and laborious duty; but rather a desire to enjoy the happiness of the new spiritual existence.

5.

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

Verse 5
The earnest of the Spirit; the influences of the Spirit as the earnest, or pledge of the divine love.

6.

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

Verse 6
Are at home in; reside in.

7.

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Verse 7
We walk; that is, we live and act.

8.

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

Verse 8
Confident; strong in our hope of life and happiness beyond the grave, and in our desire to attain to it,--referring apparently to the earnest desire alluded to 2 Corinthians 5:2. The term is explained in 2 Corinthians 5:8.

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.

Verse 10
Receive the things, &c.; receive according to the things, &c.

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.

Verse 11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord; experiencing the fear of the Lord,--that is, being influenced by it,--we are faithful in our duty of persuading men.--Are made manifest unto God; our fidelity is fully known to him. The latter clause of the verse would seem to refer to false teachers in the Corinthian church, whose piety was apparent only, not heartfelt and sincere.

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.

Verse 13
Be beside ourselves; be carried away with ardent zeal.

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.

Verse 16
Know we no man after the flesh, we do not regard, or attach importance to, the earthly conditions and relations of men.--Though we have known Christ, &c.; though we have, in former times, had worldly and carnal ideas of the person and mission of Christ. Such is perhaps the meaning, though the passage has been greatly controverted.

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;

Verse 18
All things are of God; the change, eat as it is, is wholly the work of god.--The ministry of reconciliation; the commission to offer 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.

Verse 21
To be sin for us; to be condemned for us,--subject to the terrible penalties of sin in our stead.--Made the righteousness of God; made subjects of the righteousness of God.