The Epistles · Chapter 5 of 13

2 Corinthians 5

Paul looks past the frailty of the body to an eternal house from God. Even while groaning, believers walk by faith, not sight, longing to be present with the Lord. All must appear before Christ's judgment seat. Compelled by Christ's love, Paul lives for the One who died and rose. In Christ anyone becomes a new creation, and God gives the ministry of reconciliation, pleading, be reconciled to God.

What happens in 2 Corinthians 5

Paul contrasts the earthly tent of the body, which can be dissolved, with an eternal building from God in the heavens. Believers groan in this tent, longing to be clothed with their heavenly dwelling, and God has given the Spirit as a guarantee. To be at home in the body is to be absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith and not by sight, and Paul would rather be present with the Lord. So he labors to please him, knowing all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

The love of Christ compels him: since one died for all, all died, and the living should live for the One who died and rose. He no longer regards anyone by outward appearance. Anyone in Christ is a new creation; the old has passed and all is new. God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave the ministry of reconciliation, making believers ambassadors who plead, be reconciled to God, for God made the sinless One to be sin for us.

2 Corinthians 5 in context

Second Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter, written amid affliction, criticism, and a defense of his ministry. In chapters 4 and 5 he explains why he does not lose heart despite a wasting body and constant danger: his hope is eternal and unseen.

This chapter turns that hope into a summons, describing the new creation and the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to every believer.

Main themes of 2 Corinthians 5

2 Corinthians 5 (KJV)

1For 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. 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4For 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. 5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6Therefore 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:) 8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10For 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. 11Knowing 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. 12For 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. 13For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And 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. 16Wherefore 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. 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To 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. 20Now 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. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Verses to carry from 2 Corinthians 5

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”2 Corinthians 5:17

“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.”2 Corinthians 5:19

“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 5:21

Reflection

Whatever your past holds, hear the offer: in Christ you can become a new creation, the old passed away. And this newness is not only for you. God makes you an ambassador of the same reconciliation you received. Consider whom he might be sending you toward with the plea, be reconciled to God.

A prayer from 2 Corinthians 5