7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

1/18

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

__________________

A Paper

Presented to

Dr. Mark A. Seifrid

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

__________________

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for NT 22705

__________________

by

Charlie Albright

Box 709

March 9, 2010

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

2/18

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Introduction

The Apostle Pauls aim was to be a faithful witness of the gospel among the Gentiles.

Yet, he was not what the Greeks would consider an astounding speaker. One could even say that

he was the opposite of a good Greek speaker. Yet, he was faithful in spreading the gospel

amongst Gentile cities. One of which was Corinth. But after some time false teachers had crept

in and were trying to turn the Corinthians hearts away from Paul by claiming that he was not a

true Apostle. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in attempt to win their hearts back.

In 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 we see one among many appeals Paul made to the Corinthians

in the book. The appeal which Paul makes in theses verses is that his ministry, as an Apostle, is

not discredited because of his weak appearance. Paul had a hope that even though his ministry

had taken such a toll on his body, he had a future resurrection that he was going to partake of.

And such a hope gave him courage to press on in faithful ministry.

Body

This paper will argue that the above statement is communicated through 2 Corinthians

5:1-10. This will be done by looking at the context in which the section of 2 Corinthians is

placed. Then it will be established by looking at individual aspects of the section. Verses 1-5 will

show that Paul is talking about a resurrection which he is looking forward too. Verses 6-10 will

communicate the courage for ministry which he received from the hope of the resurrection.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

3/18

Context

Let us look back at the surrounding context to get the full picture. In chapter 4 verse 7

Paul begins by contrasting the treasure of the message found in verses 4-6 of the same chapter to

the frailty of the minister, We have this treasure (the ministry) in jars of clay (the minister, i.e.

himself) (4:7). What follows in verses 8-15 are the afflictions which Paul experienced in his

ministry. While the message that he carried was glorious, the trials that the ministry put him

through were anything but glorious.1 Yet in verses 13-15 Paul keeps proclaiming the message

which he had believed in.

In verse 16 Paul starts off by referring back to something previous which he had said.

There is disagreement about the reference for . 2 I believe, however, that Paul is referring

back to verse 14 where he states his hope in the future resurrection.3 We should see Verse 15 as

part of the resurrection hope expressed in verse 14.4 For in this verse Paul expressed certainty

that the Corinthians would be in the presence of God. For he had suffered the affliction listed in

verses 8-12 so that the grace5 of the Spirits work of unveiling eyes could be given to them. They

11

Murray J. Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text(GrandRapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2005), 338.

22

Garland has it referring back to verses 7-10. David E. Garland, 2 Corinthains, The New American

Commentary, vol 29. ed. E. Ray Clendenen (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1999), 239. Barnett would see

the whole of 1-15 as being referred too. Paul Barnett, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Grand Rapids, MI:

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997), 250.33

C. K. Barrett,A Commentary on The Second Epistle to The Corinthians, Hapers New TestamentCommentaries, ed. Henery Chadwick (New York, NY: Harper & Row, 1973), 145. Ralph P. Martin, 2 Corinthians,

Word Biblical Commentary, vol 40. ed. David A. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker (Waco, TX: Word Book, 1986),

91. Margaret E. Thrall,A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Second Epistle to the Corinthians Volume I,

(Edinburgh, Scotland: T&T Clark, 1994), 347.44

Alfred Plummer,A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the

Corinthians, International Critical Commentary (New York, NY: Charles Scribners Sons, 1915), 134.55

Furnish would say that the is possibly referring to that grace by which apostles arecommissioned to the service of the gospel. Victor Paul Furnish,II Corinthians, In The Anchor Bible, vol. 32a.

(Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1984), 287. Yet, this makes no sense. For the ministry that Paul was

talking about was (for your sake), as Thrall points out. Thrall, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians,

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

4/18

then believed in this message of grace delivered to them. Thus, verse 16 goes back to the hope of

the resurrection which Paul expressed in 14.

Yet a sharp distinction between the resurrection and the ministry at Corinth should not

be made.6 Pauls sacrifice had given which made him look forward to the resurrection was the

sufferings for the Corinthians. Even though Paul has gone through tribulations, the ministry was

being accomplished. The Corinthians came to accept the gospel. Paul had completed this

ministry of unveiling eyes to the glory of the Lord (3:1-18) among the Corinthians. He had seen

the gospel do its work in their very lives. He sold himself out for them. All the afflictions listed

through this section was all for their sakes (15a). He poured himself out so that they could be

recipients and benefactors of this veil removing ministry and He knows that they will be present

with him at the resurrection of Christ.

Now Paul shifts from speaking about his ministry to his weakness of appearance. He

had made this sacrifice of ministry even though it has taken a toll on His body.7 The key to

understanding what is going on in this context is found in 5:12. There Paul makes the comment

about those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. His

deteriorating physical condition and shameful plight caused some in Corinthto wonder out

loud about his power as an apostle.8 The false teachers were attacking Paul on the grounds that

He was weak in appearance9 and a minister of a covenant more glorious than Moses covenant

344-45. How was Pauls apostleship suppose to spread through the Corinthians? Thus I agree with Thrall, as do

Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 356. and Garland, 2 Corinthains, 237-238. that there is a salvific

meaning in . So I take to be referring back to the grace which Paul was describing in 3:12-18.66

Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 358.77

This outer self should not be understood to refer to the same concept as the old man Paul talks

about in Romans. Thrall, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 350; Furnish,II Corinthians, 289. It is to be taken

as speaking to his life as a mere man. Martin, 2 Corinthians, 91.88

Garland, 2 Corinthains, 2409

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

5/18

could be expected to be a glorious figure.10 Garland points out another issue as well when he

states, Some in the ancient world interpreted affliction as a sign of gods judgment and as

something dishonorable.11Whatever the specific reason was, the false apostles were attacking

Paul about his appearance. Apparently the Corinthians were beginning let these charges get to

them. Could they really trust a person that had such a weak appearance?

Paul, however, knew the truth about this world. Physical decay and abuse are not

reasons to doubt ones ministry. On the contrary, the abuse of his body in the present is in no

comparison to the glory which he will receive. Paul says that he knows that the afflictions of this

age are preparing him for a coming glory which cannot be compared to anything on this earth

(4:17). So, Paul keeps his vision located on the future where eternal things reside (18). 12

That is the context of 5:1-10. Paul is expounding to the Corinthians that his physical

well being is not that important. He has given himself for their spiritual welling being. And the

physical cost of it will be repaid when he dies. So, in 5:1-10 Paul is expounding on way the

decay of his physical body is of little concern to him.

Verses 1-5V

Ben Witherington III, Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2

Corinthians (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995), 348.101

Paul Barnett, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 250.111

Garland, 2 Corinthains, 240121

Much discussion has occurred on the topic of anthropology because of Pauls statements of the inner

man and outer man. The debate centers on dualism and the nature of body and soul. Such a discussion does not

affect the thesis of this paper so it will be passed by. Sufficient to conclude on this matter is Garlands admonition

no to divorce these verses from the resurrection theme coming in 5:1-10. Ibid., 245.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

6/18

Verses 1-5 are about a future dwelling with the Lord when one dies. Paul expounds upon

the statement that the gaze of the Christian should be on what is eternal.What is found in these

verses is Paul looking ahead to the resurrection which he had talked about in his first letter to the

Corinthians. Here he expounds on the future resurrection again but in somewhat different

language. But the thoughts are the same. The groaning and burden associated with the present

body will give way to the stability and delight of being clothed with a new body.13

To see this meaning we have to look at the parallel passage in 1 Corinthians. Then the

text itself has to be studied. But, before we look at that; an issue regarding the eschatology of

Paul needs to be considered.

Did Paul change his view of the time of his death and the coming of Christ? Harris

would argue that Paul had an encounter with death while he was in Asia. And this encounter

changed his understanding of his death and the coming of Christ. Before this, Paul would see

himself living until the coming of Christ. But because of this brush with death Paul recognized

that he was not going to survive until the coming of Christ. Paul is then expressing that change of

belief in this passage.14

I believe an important general note can be brought up to help answer this question.

Paul is not writing out a systematic theology on eschatology. He has a point to make to the

Corinthians and against the false teachers. Penna is correct when he writes,

The mistake of the commentators has perhaps been to try to be clearer than Paul

himselfPaul does not offer dogmatic solutions but rather offers only certain suggestions,

opens up certain ways of looking at the at it, confirms or excludes certain perspectivestypical of the Christian faith.15

131

Thomas R. Schreiner,New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker

Academic, 2008), 855.141

Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 174-182.15

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

7/18

We have to be careful that we are not trying to find more than what the Biblical writers were

saying in what they wrote. Paul is not writing a dissertation on the end times but making a

specific point by using some truths of the eschatos.

Since that is the case a strong point can be made against the idea that Paul is changing his

mind about the coming of Christ. Schreiner articulates the point precisely, This text [2 Cor. 5:1-

10], however, is too ambiguous to signal such a change. Since Paul addresses the same church,

he would have needed to make it much clearer that he was proposing a different time for the

resurrection.16 So, there is not enough evidence presented in this text which should make us

think that Paul is changing mind about the coming of Christ.

We have then established the fact that there is not enough to support the idea that Paul

was changing his mind about the second coming of Christ in 2 Cor. 5:1-10. We can now study

the individual aspects of the text to see that it, indeed, points to Pauls hope in the future

resurrection.

Let us look, first, at the parallel passage to this one in 1 Corinthians 15:35-57. There

Paul discusses the resurrection from the dead as well. Paul talks about What is sown is

perishable; what is raised is imperishable. (1 Cor. 15:42b). Regarding the body Paul refers to it

as dying in weakness, natural, and from earth from verse 42-47. Also, Garland points out

the correlating use of clothing terminology, of the term perishable, and the endings between

these two passages.17 Both talk about being clothed when the believer dies. Both speak about the

body as perishing. And both end the section alluding to the same very, Isaiah 25:8. This parallel

with [1 Corinthians 15] opens the way to a true understanding of the contrast in 5:1-4 between

Romano Penna,Paul The Apostle: Jew and Greek Alike, vol. 1. trans. Thomas P. Wahl. (Collegeville,

MI: Liturgical Press, 1996), 232.161

Schreiner,New Testament Theology, 855.171

Garland, 2 Corinthians, 245.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

8/18

the present body and the future one.18 Therefore, since there is a parallel of themes and terms

used between 1 Corinthians 15:35-57 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 we should understand the main

topic to be the samenamely resurrection.

With that correlation in mind we can look at the language Paul is using to see that he is

talking about a future resurrection. What we have now is a ,

an earthly tent-dwelling.19 The should be taken as an epexegetical genitive20

which explains the meaning of the word it is attributed to. When our temporary structure will be

torn down ( ) we have a , 21

, a building from God, a dwelling not made with human hands,

eternal in the heavens. For this eternal dwelling we grown (), longing to put it on.

Following the context of the pervious verse Paul is obviously talking about the eternal

things which He looks to. And there is a clear contrast going on through these passages. But

what is Paul talking about when he says we are in a , and

looking forward to a ,

?

181

N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God(Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 367.191

Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 370. See Also Furnish,II Corinthians, 292202

Barrett, ,A Commentary on The Second Epistle to The Corinthians, 150. Plummer, The Second Epistle

of St. Paul to the Corinthians, 142. and Thrall The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 360. would see it as a genitive

of apposition. The meaning of the phrase, however, is not changed by this.212

A issue is raised about meaning of being a present active. What does Paul mean when hesays that we have this dwelling from God in the present? Garland would see the verb meaning that we receive aresurrection body immediately upon our death. Garland, 2 Corinthians, 251-252.

However it is best to take the present as a futuristic present. Andrew T. Lincoln,Paradise Now and Not

Yet(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981), 64. Cf. also Plummer, The Second Epistle of St. Paul to the

Corinthians, 144 and Barrett,A Commentary on The Second Epistle to The Corinthians, 151. Also, understanding

the verb in this way would not cause a problem with the word in verse 3. Cf. Ben Witherington III,Jesus,Paul and the End of the World(Downners Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1992), 205-206.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

9/18

Looking at the terms Paul used we can see the resurrection being describe. The first

term that he employs is a tent ( ). Our present bodies are like a tent. A

tent is a common picture of the earthly life and its setting in the body.22 Using the tent imagery,

describes only the instability, and thus the vulnerability, of ones mortal existence.23 Most

commentators would also point to the use of the term in Wisdom 9:15 as referring to a body.

This view also fits the context from 4:16-18 where Paul has been giving a contrast of the earthly

and the eternal. Understanding the term to denote a human body fits very well here.24

Then, opposed to this weak tent, the believer will receive an eternal dwelling. There

have been many proposals to what the term

means here. Thrall lists nine different

understandings of this term: 1) An individual resurrection body. 2) A heavenly habitation in the

sense of the dwelling mentioned in John 14:2. 3) An interim heavenly body, received

immediately after death. 4) A kind of spiritual garment, received in baptism, worn beneath the

garment of the material body and preserved beyond the grave. 5) The body of Christ. 6) The

heavenly temple. 7) The resurrection body of Christ. 8) An image of the glory of the

eschatological age. 9) The heavenly dimension of present existence.25 Yet, the most agreed upon

immediate meaning would be the spiritual body one would receive at the resurrection.26 Harris

states the point clearly, in view of 4:16a, it seems incontestable that the of

222

Barrett,A Commentary on The Second Epistle to The Corinthians, 151.232

Furnish,II Corinthians, 293242

For a good summary of the literary evidence behind this understanding of the term see Thrall, The

Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 357-359.252

Ibid., 360-367.262

Garland, 2 Corinthians, 250-51, Plummer, The Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, 142.

Martin, 2 Corinthians, 103. Thrall, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 367.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

10/18

5:1a alludes primarily, if not solely, to the physical body and that therefore it would destroy the

parallelism and opposition of the two parts of 5:1,27 Thus, while the body that Paul possesses

now will be destroyed, an eternal body is waiting for Him in the future. 28

The final question we have to ask is concerning the meaning of the word in

verse 3. The verse begins be stating that by putting on29 this heavenly dwelling we may not be

found naked. So the meaning of naked has direct influence on the understanding of the

previous terms.

There are three main understandings of this term.30 It is either understood as homeless,

garmentless, or bodiless. The understanding of homeless is to use architectural language

which matches the terms tent and building in verses 1-2. But this understanding can be

dismissed due to the fact that the word does not carry such a meaning.31

272

Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 372.282

Although, while the primary understanding of these terms should be a body. One should not throw out,all together, a temple conection being made by Paul here. Our bodies are presently the temple of God (1 Cor 6:19).

And Beale points out that the phrase, not made with hands, is virtually everywhere else a technical way of

speaking about the new eschatological temple.G. K. Beale, The Temple and the Churchs Mission: A Biblical

Theology of the Dwelling Place of God, New Studies in Biblical Theology, vol 17. ed. D. A. Carson (DownersGrove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2004), 257. Also, one can make the association of the tent with the tabernacle.

Thrall would even allow tabernacle imagery to remain while not making it the primary meaning, Thrall, The Second

Epistle to the Corinthians, 361-362. Thus, the idea that Paul is making a temple connection here should not be

dismissed entirely.One will have to hold that Paul is talking about the real resurrection and body and theeschatological temple at the same time.

292

Nestle-Aland 27th edition chose to go with as the best reading, thus rendering thetranslation of the word putting off. However, the variant reading should be preferred in this instance and translated

putting on. Philip W. Comfort,New Testament Text and Translation Commentary (Carol Streams, Ill: Tyndale

House, 2008), 541. Cf. Also Margaret E. Thrall, Putting on or Stripping off in 2 Corinthians 5:3, inNew

Testament Textual Criticism: Its Significance of Exegesis, ed. Eldon Jay Epp and Gordon D. Fee (New York, NY:

Oxford University Press, 1981), 221-238.303

Taken from Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 385313

Gerhard Kittel and Geoffrey William Bromiley and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of theNew Testament. electronic ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976), S. 1:773-774. Johannes P. Louw and

Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament : Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of

the 2nd edition. (New York, NY: United Bible Societies, 1996, c1989), S. 2:53. Walter Bauer,A Greek-English

Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, ed. and trans. Frederick W. Danker, William F.

Arndt, and F. Wilber Gingrich [BDAG], 3rd Edition. (Chicago, Ill: University of Chicago Press, 2000), s.v.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

11/18

The term garment would be used to covey a moral view. Meaning, Paul does not

want to be found being guilty of sin before God.32 Two problems become apparent with this

suggestion, however. The first is that moral judgment is not in the immediate context. We do not

see judgment until verse 10. So, where it could be a possibility, it should not be our first choice

since the theme of mortal judgment is not found in the immediate context. The second problem is

that the correlating word used in verse 4, , is unquestionably referring to

resurrection.33Because when one is clothed, the mortal ( ) is swallowed up by life

( ). And such language conveys a resurrection, not a moral standing.

Thus, the bodiless understanding is the best.34

It fits with the over all context of

resurrection. It, also, fits with the specific terms Paul uses in this section. Thus Paul is saying that

by putting on this heavenly dwelling he will not be found in a bodiless state. 35 So, Paul is

looking forward to the day when he will receive his resurrection body.

So after looking through this section we see Paul, speaking in the language of

buildings and clothing to describe the future resurrection that awaits him. When Paul says that he

is presently living in a we understand him saying that he

lives in a fragile body. Yet he knows that when the tent is destroyed he will posses a

323

And there can be different types of this moral belief. For example, Furnish would see having once

clothed ourselves in verse 3 referring to baptism. Thus naked is denying ones baptism and so being found

alienated from Christ. Furnish,II Corinthians, 298.333

Lincoln,Paradise Now and Not Yet, 66.343

Barrett,A Commentary on The Second Epistle to The Corinthians, 156. Martin, 2 Corinthians, 105-

106. Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 387-388. Garland, 2 Corinthians, 259-260. Plummer, TheSecond Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, 147. Thrall, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 379. Lincoln,

Paradise Now and Not Yet, 66353

This should not be taken as if Paul does not believe in an intermediate state. See fn. 38 below for a

fuller discussion on this issue.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

12/18

which is a future resurrected body. And because he knows he will posses it there is no

fear that he will be , or bodiless.

Therefore, though some may consider a battered and bruised body something to be

ashamed of, Paul sees it differently. A battered and bruised body is only temporal. What Paul

looks forward is a heavenly dwelling that will clothe him for eternity.

Verse 6-10

Because of the future hope that is before him Paul can make it his aim to be pleasing to

God. In verses 6-10 Paul expresses the courage which he has because of this promise and what

he is working towards before he reaches that hope. In other words, he can give himself to gospel

ministry because of this future hope. This section will argue that Paul sees the future hope as a

base for the courage to do his ministry.

Paul has a courage to accomplish the ministry which streams from the faith on the

guarantee of the Spirit. The of verse 1looks back to the preceding guarantee of the future

resurrection which is given by the Spirit.

36

The perfect participle

is casual in its

function.37 The truth that Paul is still in this body and not with the Lord is another reason for the

courage. Thus, there is the promise that supplies the courage and the task that demands the

courage. For in verse 7 Paul expresses having faith in the promises of God and not on what he

sees. Then Paul illiterates again in verse 8 about the courage which he has while expressing his

desire to be with the Lord.38 Paul can face the afflictions upon his body by the ministry because

363

Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 394373

Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar: Beyond the Basics (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 631.

Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 395.383

There is a question about the intermediate state when looking at verse 8. Is Paul saying that there is a

state of being bodiless which one enters into while they await the resurrection? Or should Pauls desire not to be

found bodiless in verse 3 deny such a belief?

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

13/18

he is confident that God will supply a superior replacement for [his body].39 Thus, courage fills

Paul as he performs his calling as an apostle.

Pauls courage is directed at the single aim to be well pleasing to Christ so that he could

stand confidently before the judgment seat of Christ. Whether Paul was or

Paul sought to be pleasing in his actions. For him, what is alone important is

whether ones service as an apostle is finally judged acceptable to the Lord.40 This is

completely contrary to the critics who would try to discount him based on weak appearance. For

Paul, what ultimately mattered was Gods view of his ministry, not mans.41Because it would be

before Christs judgment seat where the deeds done in the body would be judged as to whether

they were good or bad.

One must ask about the nature of the judgment being described here. Every Christian will

have to stand before this judgment seat. The verdict of this seat will render to everyone what they

have done in the body. So, will salvation or rewards be rendered at this judgment? Harris argues

Verses 3 and 4 should not be seen as denying the intermediate state. Two reasons can be given for this.

The first is that the topic of an intermediate state is not a concern for Paul at this point. Just as it is with the argument

against the garment understanding of clothing, an interjection about the intermediate state is out of context. What

Paul is arguing for is the greatness of the future body that he will posses. We should not try to read too much about aparticular question into one term when the context is not about the particular question. The second one is that just

because Paul does not want to exist in a bodiless state does not mean that he would deny such state. He does clearly,

though sparsely, speak of being with the Lord right after he would die (2 Cor 5:8, Phil 1:23). Pauls focus on the

intermediate state is lacking precisely because it is intermediate and temporary. Thomas R. Schreiner,Paul:

Apostle of Gods Glory in Christ(Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 466. He does not look to the

intermediate state but beyond it. He is not against the intermediate state and would rather be in it but, Hispreference is for the final state. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God, 367.

For a defense that the intermediate state is being referred to in verse 8 see Harris, The Second Epistle tothe Corinthians, 400-401.393

Barrett,A Commentary on The Second Epistle to The Corinthians, 158.404

Furnish,II Corinthians, 304.414

Martin, 2 Corinthians, 114.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

14/18

that the tribunal of Christ is concerned with the assessment of works not the determination of

destiny.42 Thus, not status but reward is determined43 by this judgment seat.

Yet, other would see the judgment seat determining more than the distribution of

rewards or loss of rewards. The reward in these texts is eternal life itself.44 Thus, when

standing before the judgment seat of Christ, ones eternal destiny is at stake.

Two factors tip the scales towards understanding the judgment seat as eternally

significant. The first is that when Paul speaks of Gods coming judgment it has eternal

significance. At Gods righteous judgment He will render to each man according to his work,

and he renders eternal life or wrath and fury (Rom. 2 5-8). We cannot be fully judged by human

courts, but the Lord judges us. The Lord will bring every thing to light and each one will receive

his commendation from God (1 Cor. 4:3-5). The second reason is that Paul more than likely has

the false teachers in view when he writes this verse. The false teachers advertise themselves as

people who do good works and claim to be servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:15), but all of

this is subterfuge. The good works are lacking, and their end shall be according to their

works.45 Therefore, when believers stand before the judgment seat of Christ they approach for

the determination of their destiny.

How is this reconciled with the Biblical truth of justification by faith alone? Schreiner

helpfully explains,

Gods judgment on that day will be accordingto works but not on the basis of works

(Rom. 2:6-10; 2 Cor. 5:10)These good works are the fruit of faith and a result of the

424

Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 408-409434

Ibid., 409.444

Schreiner,Paul, 283.454

Ibid., 470.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

15/18

Spirits works. They do not, in and of themselves, achieve salvationFuture justification,

then, is the manifestation of present justification.46

Thus, the declaration made at the judgment seat of Christ will correspond with the declaration

made when a believer puts true faith in Jesus Christ, justified! For the works displayed at the

judgment seat will be the manifestations of a true faith.

So in conclusion to this section we see that the future hope which Paul looks towards

gives him courage to complete the ministry. And this hope presses him on in the glorious pursuit

to be found well pleasing to God on the final judgment day.

Conclusion

Therefore, we have clearly seen that Pauls hope was laid in the future resurrection which

he would attain. Though his opponents claimed that the afflictions which he had gone through

discredited him as a faithful apostle, Paul knew other wise. He willing let his body suffer

affliction and bruising for the sake of taking the gospel to the Corinthians. Paul could do this

because he had a hope of a future resurrection where the weak tent where he presently resided in

would be replaced by a dwelling from God. This dwelling would be an eternal residence so that

he would not have to exist in a bodiless state. Thus, he fulfilled the callings of his ministry with

courage. Because he knew that he would have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give

an account of his faithfulness.

Devotional

Safety, security, and peacefulness are words that can describe too much of American

evangelicalism. Not only that, but when we think of preachers we think of preachers nicely

dressed in the attire we deem appropriate. Whether it be a two piece suit of shorts with a T-shirt.

464

Schreiner,New Testament Theology, 852-853.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

16/18

We want them to look the way we want them to look. Given those reasons Paul would probably

be an outcast in our churches. He was not safe, and he did not look the part.

Yet, that is how true gospel ministry is suppose to look like. By giving oneself for the

glory of God and to love people by telling them the gospel messageand that is what Paul

looked like. His eyes were centered on being well pleasing to God and his heart was poured out

for the Corinthians. And he did this no matter if it took him to places where he abounded in

material things or to places where death seemed imminent.

The encouragement that was set before His eyes in all of this was the hope of the

resurrection. He knew that the suffering, caused by being faithful to God would be compensated

in full by his Lord. Thus, he pressed on no matter how much it cost. May our eyes be opened to

the inheritance that is ours in Christ Jesus as Pauls eyes were open to it!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Commentaries

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

17/18

Barnett, Paul., The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans

Publishing Company, 1997.

Barrett, C. K.,A Commentary on The Second Epistle to The Corinthians. Hapers New

Testament Commentaries. Edited by Henry Chadwick. New York, NY: Harper & Row, 1973

Furnish, Victor Paul,II Corinthians. The Anchor Bible, vol. 32a.Garden City, NY: Doubleday

& Company, 1984.

Garland, David E., 2 Corinthains. The New American Commentary, vol 29. Edited by E. Ray

Clendenen. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1999.

Harris, Murray J., The Second Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text.Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2005.

Martin, Ralph P., 2 Corinthians. Word Biblical Commentary, vol 40. Edited by David A.

Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker. Waco, TX: Word Book, 1986.

Plummer, Alfred,A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle of St. Paul to theCorinthians. International Critical Commentary. New York, NY: Charles Scribners Sons,

1915.

Thrall, Margaret E.,A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Second Epistle to theCorinthians Volume I. Edinburgh, Scotland: T&T Clark, 1994.

Witherington III, Ben, Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on1 and 2 Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995.

Books

Beale, G. K., The Temple and the Churchs Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Placeof God. New Studies in Biblical Theology, vol. 17. Edited by D. A. Carson. Downers Grove,

Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Comfort, Philip W.,New Testament Text and Translation Commentary. Carol Streams, Ill:

Tyndale House, 2008.

Lincoln, Andrew T.,Paradise Now and Not Yet. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981

Romano Penna,Paul The Apostle: Jew and Greek Alike. Volume 1. Translation by Thomas P.Wahl. Collegeville, MI: Liturgical Press, 1996

Schreiner, Thomas R.,New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Grand Rapids, MI:

Baker Academic, 2008.

7/29/2019 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

18/18

________________,Paul: Apostle of Gods Glory in Christ. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity

Press, 2001.

Witherington III, Ben,Jesus, Paul and the End of the World. Downners Grove, Ill: InterVarsity

Press, 1992.

Wright, N. T., The Resurrection of the Son of God. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.

Greek Lexicons and Grammars

Bauer, Walter,A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early ChristianLiterature. Edited and translated by Frederick W. Danker, William F. Arndt, and F. Wilber

Gingrich [BDAG], 3rd Edition. Chicago, Ill: University of Chicago Press, 2000.

Kittel, Gerhard and Bromiley, Geoffrey William and Friedrich, Gerhard, Theological Dictionaryof the New Testament. Electronic edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976.

Louw, Johannes P. and Nida, Eugene Albert, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament :

Based on Semantic Domains. Electronic edition of the 2nd edition. New York, NY: United

Bible Societies, 1996, c1989.

Wallace, Daniel B., Greek Grammar: Beyond the Basics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.

Articles

Margaret E. Thrall, Putting on or Stripping off in 2 Corinthians 5:3, inNew TestamentTextual Criticism: Its Significance of Exegesis. Edited by Eldon Jay Epp and Gordon D. Fee.

New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1981.