January 28, 2026
2 Corinthians 5 ESV
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Discussion Questions:
In chapter 5 Paul continues to describe how his present sufferings are able to be endured because of the glory that is to follow. Paul uses a series of word pictures to describe this process.
1) In verses 1-10 what does Paul mean by: “tent”, “building from God”, “naked”, “unclothed”, “clothed”?
2) In verses 11 to 21 Paul returns to the topic of how his ministry differs from other “apostles” in Corinth. How is his ministry different and what is the Gospel message that he preaches?
Discussion Summary:
Verses 1-10: In comparing a “tent” and a “building in heaven,” Paul is comparing the earthly temporary life with the eternal permanent life as a spirit being (John 14:2,3). This reminds us how the Israelites first worshiped in the tabernacle which was a tent that moved with them as they wandered through the wilderness. Later King Solomon built a stone temple which was called the house of God.
At the present time while in our fleshly body, once we believe, we become a “new creature” (verse 17). We understand this as the spirit begetting of our will to no longer follow our interests, but the Lord’s. This new will develops and upon the death of our bodies will be born on the spirit plane of existence in a spirit, heavenly body (1 Corinthians 15:38).
To be “naked” or “unclothed” refers to the condition of “sleep” that believers enter upon death until the return of Jesus. They are waiting their resurrection change.
Verses 11-21: In verse 13, Paul is contrasting his ministry with the ministry of the other teachers in Corinth. The other teachers were emphasizing the gifts of the spirit (particularly speaking in tongues). While Paul did have the gifts of the spirit, the majority of his preaching was through discourse, explaining the salvation of Christ and what it brought to believers (1 Corinthians 14:2, 19).
Paul’s preaching was doing the work of Christ in the heart of believers. Jesus said in Luke 7:35, “Wisdom is justified in her children.” This means that the way you know which is method is correct is by the results. Paul’s preaching, which we still read today, has been proven correct.
Leave a Reply