2 Corinthians 5

Chap. V. Ver. 1—10. The desire of immortality, the expectation of a future judgment, and the practical influence of these doctrines.—In the opening of this chapter the apostle draws a beautiful comparison between the feeble body which we here inhabit, and which he compares to a tent—which is a temporary erection easily removed; and the permanent habitation—the everlasting mansions, which our Saviour is gone to prepare for all his people. This tent of human flesh is far from weather-proof; it is liable to cracks, and rents, or (to drop the metaphor) it is exposed to a variety of mortal ills, as well as to the attacks of cruel enemies. We, therefore, “groan, being burthened,” not merely from a desire to rid ourselves of “this mortal coil,”

but from a desire to enter into that immortal residence which is provided for us in another world—whereinto Christ, our fore-runner, is for us entered. We here pause a few moments to remark upon the evidence which this chapter affords of an intermediate state between death and judgment. Dr. Sam. Clarke, in a judicious discourse from this text, remarks—“1. That we must all shortly be absent or separate from the body. 2. That this state is not a state of absolute insensibility; but, 3. to good men, a state of great happiness, a being present with the Lord. 4. The consideration of this intermediate happiness is a great comfort and support against the fear of death; we are confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body, &c.

5. This intermediate state, though a state of happiness, is by no means equal to that happiness which good men shall be possessed of after the resurrection.” (See Robinson’s Claude.) Of these propositions we shall here offer some confirmatory Ver. 5. The self-same thing.—Macknight, “This ye are.” —— earnest of the Spirit.—See (2 Corinthians 1:22). MI At a sod 3 phat ‘ Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent—Macknight, see (Hebrews 10:31). A House of anger terror of the Lord—That is, his terrible judgments against sin, Ver. 12. In appearance—i. e. in outward show, “putting (as we say) a good face upon their conduct.” celestial glory. At the same time, old Adam’s carnal principles, and sinful affections, subside and sink as the new creation rises.

** Mighty Redeemer, set us free From our old state of sin: O make our souls alive to thee; Create new pow’rs within !’— Watts.

Notes on the verses

Chap. V. Ver. 1. If our earthy house of this tabernacle.—The Hebrew term for “house” (Beth) is of very extensive use. It seems used for a tent. (Genesis 27:15); compare (Hebrews 11:9). Mr. Harmer says, “The Persians call a richly ornamented tent a house of gold.” Macknight renders this verse, “* When our house, which is a tent, is destroyed.” So the Greek particle (ean) is used for when, (John 12:32); 1 John iii. 2. We also prefer “destroyed” to “dissolved,” because the word strictly means to take or throw down, or pull to pieces, which is peculiarly applicable to a “tent.” [So Hippocrates, “the soul having left the tabernacle of the body.” The contrast here between a tabernacle or tent erected for a shelter for a time, and a house, or permanent abode, is very striking.

]}—Bagster.: Ver. 2. For in this [tabernacle or tent] we groan earnestly; desiring to be clothed.—To be “clothed with a house,” seems a harsh figure to us, but is quite in the Jewish taste; the Book Zohar, on (Exodus 24:18), says, Moses was “clothed with the cloud;” so we read in the book of Revelations, of an angel “clothed with a cloud,” and of a woman “clothed with the sun.” ((Revelation 10:1); xii. 1.) The word “house,” is also used for any part of dress: a veil is the “house of the face;” a glove, the “house of the fingers.” The sacred writers also apply the term clothed, as we do habit; so they speak of being clothed with humility, or with shame, ((1 Peter 5:5); (Psalms 35:26),) much as we talk of a habit of virtue and of vice; and not only so, but they say being “clothed with righteousness,” or “with trembling,” ((Job 31:16);) and (perhaps the boldest metaphor of all) the neck of the war-horse is described as being “clothed with mail” ((Job 39:19),) tom home”—from the Lord; i.e. while at our earthly, we are necessarily in our [true] home. 8. Absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.—Macknight, “From home out of the body; and to be at home with the Lord.” Ver. 9. We labour.—Macknight, “Strive earnestly.” Doddridge, “Make it the height of our ambition.” — Whether present or absent.—Macknight, “Whether at home, or from home.” — We may be accepted of him.—Macknight, “immediately perceive we are to see.” Ver. 10. Judgment-seat.—Doddridge and Macknight, “Tribunal.” See Ver. 14.

Then were all dead—i.e. all for whom Christ died were under 4 Ver. 13. To God.—Macknight, “For God;” i.e. for his glory: or them. may [be] less of condemnation, or it needed not that he should offer an atonement. Ver. 16. Henceforth know we no man after the flesh—i.e. we make no difference in our ministry as to Jews or Gentiles, rich or poor, &c., for all are equally guilty, and stand in need of the same mercy. See Rom. ti. 10, &c. Ver. 17. A new creature.—Doddridge, “(There is) a new creation;” all things are in such a mind become new.