--- title: "2 Corinthians 5 - Study King James Bible with commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible" description: "Read 2 Corinthians 5 with commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible commentary. 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" image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/5" --- [ Read](/kjv/2-corinthians/5)[ Commentary](/study/2-corinthians/5)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/2-corinthians/5) Audio 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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; 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. [2 Corinthians 4](/study/2-corinthians/4) [2 Corinthians 6](/study/2-corinthians/6) ## Commentary To verse 1 **1. For**—Assigning the reason for the statement ([2 Corinthians 4:17](/kjv/2-corinthians/4/17)), that *affliction* leads to *exceeding glory.* **we know**—assuredly ([2 Corinthians 4:14](/kjv/2-corinthians/4/14); [Job 19:25](/kjv/job/19/25)). **if**—For *all* shall not die; many shall be "changed" without "dissolution" ([1 Corinthians 15:51-53](/kjv/1-corinthians/15/51-53)). If this daily *delivering unto death* ([1 Corinthians 15:51-46](/kjv/1-corinthians/15/51-46).15.53- :) should end in actual death. **earthly**—not the same as *earthy* ([1 Corinthians 15:47](/kjv/1-corinthians/15/47)). It stands in contrast to "in the heavens." **house of*****this*****tabernacle**—rather, "house of the tabernacle." "House" expresses more *permanency* than belongs to the body; therefore the qualification, "of the tabernacle" (implying that it is *shifting,* not stationary), is added (compare [Job 4:19](/kjv/job/4/19); [2 Peter 1:13](/kjv/2-peter/1/13); [2 Peter 1:14](/kjv/2-peter/1/14)). It thus answers to the tabernacle in the wilderness. Its wooden frame and curtains wore out in course of time when Israel dwelt in Canaan, and a fixed temple was substituted for it. The temple and the tabernacle in all essentials were one; there was the same ark, the same cloud of glory. Such is the relation between the "earthly" body and the resurrection body. The Holy Spirit is enshrined in the believer's body as in a sanctuary ([2 Peter 1:14](/kjv/2-peter/1/14)- :). As the ark went first in taking down the wilderness tabernacle, so the soul (which like the ark is sprinkled with blood of atonement, and is the sacred deposit in the inmost shrine, [2 Peter 1:14](/kjv/2-peter/1/14)- :) in the dissolution of the body; next the coverings were removed, answering to the flesh; lastly, the framework and boards, answering to the bones, which are last to give way ([2 Peter 1:14](/kjv/2-peter/1/14)- :). Paul, as a *tent-maker,* uses an image taken from his trade ([Acts 18:3](/kjv/acts/18/3)). **dissolved**—a mild word for death, in the case of believers. **we have**—in *assured* prospect of possession, as certain as if it were in our hands, laid up "in the heavens" for us. The tense is *present* (compare [John 3:36](/kjv/john/3/36); [John 6:47](/kjv/john/6/47), "*hath*"). **a building of God**—rather "*from* God." A solid *building,* not a temporary *tabernacle* or *tent.* "*Our*" body stands in contrast to "*from God.*" For though our present body be also *from God,* yet it is not fresh and perfect from His hands, as our resurrection body shall be. **not made with hands**—contrasted with houses erected by *man's* hands ([John 6:47](/kjv/john/6/47)- :). So Christ's body is designated, as contrasted with the tabernacle reared by Moses ([Mark 14:58](/kjv/mark/14/58); [Hebrews 9:11](/kjv/hebrews/9/11)). This "house" can only be the *resurrection body,* in contrast to the "earthly house of the tabernacle," our present body. The intermediate state is not *directly* taken into account. 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