American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
2 Corinthians 5
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.
Reference
Creation
Hebrews 9:24
Hebrews 9:11
Colossians 2:11
Parallel theme
Job 4:19
1 Peter 1:4
Genesis 3:19
References God
1 John 3:2
2 Corinthians 4:7
2 Peter 3:11
Temple
2 Corinthians 5:4
2
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed on with our house which is from heaven:
Reference
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 on, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Reference
5
Now he that has worked us for the selfsame thing is God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 4:17
References God
Isaiah 29:23
Ephesians 2:10
Spirit
2 Corinthians 1:22
Romans 8:23
Ephesians 4:30
1 John 3:24
Isaiah 61:3
6
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
Reference
8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 John 3:2
John 14:3
2 Corinthians 5:9
Psalm 16:11
Psalm 17:15
John 17:24
References Lord
2 Corinthians 5:6
Luke 2:29
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 has done, whether it be good or bad.
Reference
Good
Ephesians 6:8
Judgment
Ecclesiastes 12:14
1 Corinthians 4:5
1 Peter 4:5
Psalm 98:9
Parallel theme
Matthew 16:27
Revelation 22:12
Psalm 62:12
Revelation 2:23
Job 34:11
11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jude 1:23
Revelation 20:15
Psalm 76:7
Psalm 90:11
Nahum 1:6
References God
Hebrews 10:31
Acts 18:13
Job 31:23
2 Corinthians 5:20
2 Corinthians 6:1
12
For we commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
Reference
13
For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
Reference
14
For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
Reference
Love
Galatians 2:20
1 Peter 1:8
Hebrews 6:10
1 Corinthians 16:22
Parallel theme
Matthew 20:28
John 1:29
Hebrews 2:9
1 Timothy 5:6
2 Corinthians 3:9
References Christ
Romans 5:15
15
And that he died for all, that they which live should not from now on live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again.
Reference
16
Why from now on know we no man after the flesh: yes, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now from now on know we him no more.
Reference
17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 36:26
John 3:3
Psalm 51:10
Ezekiel 11:19
Ezekiel 18:31
John 15:5
References Christ
Galatians 6:15
Romans 8:1
Ephesians 2:10
1 Corinthians 1:30
18
And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 11:36
1 John 2:2
Luke 24:47
References God
1 John 4:10
John 3:16
Hebrews 2:17
Isaiah 52:7
References Jesus
Romans 5:1
1 Corinthians 8:6
Acts 10:36
19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 43:25
Isaiah 44:22
John 17:23
John 14:20
References God
1 John 4:10
1 Timothy 3:16
Colossians 2:9
Matthew 1:23
20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 14:23
Ephesians 6:20
Malachi 2:7
John 20:21
2 Corinthians 3:6
Luke 10:16
Job 22:21
References God
2 Corinthians 5:11
2 Corinthians 6:1
1 Thessalonians 4:8
21
For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Reference
Creation
Galatians 3:13
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 5:17
Righteousness
1 Peter 3:18
Romans 5:19
1 Corinthians 1:30
Philippians 3:9
Romans 1:17
Romans 4:25
Sin
1 John 3:5
Hebrews 4:15
Summary of 2 Corinthians 5
2 Corinthians 5 explains that the present physical life is temporary but God's promised future is eternal, and because believers have this hope through Christ and the Holy Spirit, they should live by faith, seek to please God, recognize their responsibility before Christ's judgment, and serve as messengers who invite others into reconciliation with God.
Paul begins by comparing the present human body to a temporary tent, explaining that physical life is not the final destination for believers because God has prepared an eternal dwelling that cannot be destroyed by ordinary human circumstances.
Although Paul describes a longing for the future heavenly existence, he does not present death as the main goal, because his deeper hope is that mortality will be replaced by God's promised life and that believers will eventually receive the complete transformation He has prepared for them.
The Holy Spirit is described as a guarantee of what is still to come, giving believers confidence that God's future promises are reliable even though they cannot yet see the complete fulfillment of those promises.
Because believers live by faith rather than merely by what they can see, Paul encourages them to make their central goal pleasing the Lord, whether they are living in their present bodies or eventually standing in His presence.
Paul then reminds them that everyone will appear before Christ's judgment seat, meaning that Christian hope should never become an excuse for careless living, because believers remain responsible for the way they use their lives and the actions they choose.
The chapter then moves toward Paul's understanding of Christian identity, explaining that Christ's love compels believers to stop living only for themselves, because Jesus died and rose again so that those who belong to Him could live for Him rather than remaining controlled by selfish desires.
Paul's statement that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation becomes the center of the chapter, describing salvation as more than simply receiving forgiveness while continuing the same life, because belonging to Christ creates a new identity and begins a new way of living.
Paul then explains that God has given believers the ministry of reconciliation, meaning that Christians are called to carry God's message of restored relationship into the world and invite people to turn toward God through Christ.
He concludes by describing himself as an ambassador for Christ, representing God's appeal to humanity, and explains that Christ took upon Himself the consequences of sin so that people who trust in Him could receive God's righteousness and be restored to relationship with Him.
The central message of 2 Corinthians 5 is that Christians should live with confidence in God's eternal promises, allow Christ's love to shape their behavior, understand themselves as new creations, and actively share God's message of reconciliation with others.
Paul begins with the temporary nature of our present physical existence.
His comparison of the body to a tent is powerful because a tent can provide shelter and comfort while still being temporary.
In the same way, Paul does not treat physical life as worthless, but he reminds believers that their present existence is not the final form of what God has promised.
The Christian hope is therefore focused on something much greater than simply surviving the difficulties of this world.
Paul points toward resurrection, transformation, and eternal life with God.
The Holy Spirit provides confidence that this future is real because God's Spirit is already working within believers as a guarantee of what God will complete.
This hope changes how Christians should live now.
Paul says that believers should seek to please the Lord, because Christian life is not simply about receiving future blessings but about living faithfully in the present while looking forward to what God has promised.
The reminder about Christ's judgment seat adds an important balance.
Grace does not mean that actions no longer matter.
Instead, believers should understand that their choices, motives, and actions have significance before God.
Paul then explains what should motivate Christian living: the love of Christ.
Because Christ died and rose again, believers should no longer live only for themselves.
Their priorities, decisions, relationships, and goals should increasingly be shaped by the One who gave His life for them.
This leads naturally to Paul's powerful statement about becoming a new creation.
Christianity is not simply about improving an old life through greater effort.
Paul describes something deeper because God creates a new identity in Christ and begins transforming the believer from the inside.
The old way of living no longer has to control the person.
The new life is centered on Christ.
This new identity also creates a new responsibility.
Those who have experienced God's reconciliation are called to become messengers of reconciliation.
Paul uses the picture of an ambassador because an ambassador represents someone else's authority and message.
Christians therefore represent Christ and are called to communicate God's invitation rather than inventing their own message.
The final verse explains the foundation of this reconciliation.
Christ, who was without sin, took upon Himself what belonged to sinners so that those who belong to Him could receive God's righteousness.
The chapter therefore moves from temporary life to eternal hope, from fear to confidence, from selfish living to Christ-centered living, from an old identity to a new creation, and from receiving reconciliation to becoming messengers of reconciliation.
Overall, 2 Corinthians 5 teaches that because Christ has changed our relationship with God and given us hope beyond this temporary life, we should live faithfully, love others, represent Christ honestly, and invite people to experience the restored relationship with God that He offers through Jesus.
Paul begins by comparing the present human body to a temporary tent, explaining that physical life is not the final destination for believers because God has prepared an eternal dwelling that cannot be destroyed by ordinary human circumstances.
Although Paul describes a longing for the future heavenly existence, he does not present death as the main goal, because his deeper hope is that mortality will be replaced by God's promised life and that believers will eventually receive the complete transformation He has prepared for them.
The Holy Spirit is described as a guarantee of what is still to come, giving believers confidence that God's future promises are reliable even though they cannot yet see the complete fulfillment of those promises.
Because believers live by faith rather than merely by what they can see, Paul encourages them to make their central goal pleasing the Lord, whether they are living in their present bodies or eventually standing in His presence.
Paul then reminds them that everyone will appear before Christ's judgment seat, meaning that Christian hope should never become an excuse for careless living, because believers remain responsible for the way they use their lives and the actions they choose.
The chapter then moves toward Paul's understanding of Christian identity, explaining that Christ's love compels believers to stop living only for themselves, because Jesus died and rose again so that those who belong to Him could live for Him rather than remaining controlled by selfish desires.
Paul's statement that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation becomes the center of the chapter, describing salvation as more than simply receiving forgiveness while continuing the same life, because belonging to Christ creates a new identity and begins a new way of living.
Paul then explains that God has given believers the ministry of reconciliation, meaning that Christians are called to carry God's message of restored relationship into the world and invite people to turn toward God through Christ.
He concludes by describing himself as an ambassador for Christ, representing God's appeal to humanity, and explains that Christ took upon Himself the consequences of sin so that people who trust in Him could receive God's righteousness and be restored to relationship with Him.
The central message of 2 Corinthians 5 is that Christians should live with confidence in God's eternal promises, allow Christ's love to shape their behavior, understand themselves as new creations, and actively share God's message of reconciliation with others.
Paul begins with the temporary nature of our present physical existence.
His comparison of the body to a tent is powerful because a tent can provide shelter and comfort while still being temporary.
In the same way, Paul does not treat physical life as worthless, but he reminds believers that their present existence is not the final form of what God has promised.
The Christian hope is therefore focused on something much greater than simply surviving the difficulties of this world.
Paul points toward resurrection, transformation, and eternal life with God.
The Holy Spirit provides confidence that this future is real because God's Spirit is already working within believers as a guarantee of what God will complete.
This hope changes how Christians should live now.
Paul says that believers should seek to please the Lord, because Christian life is not simply about receiving future blessings but about living faithfully in the present while looking forward to what God has promised.
The reminder about Christ's judgment seat adds an important balance.
Grace does not mean that actions no longer matter.
Instead, believers should understand that their choices, motives, and actions have significance before God.
Paul then explains what should motivate Christian living: the love of Christ.
Because Christ died and rose again, believers should no longer live only for themselves.
Their priorities, decisions, relationships, and goals should increasingly be shaped by the One who gave His life for them.
This leads naturally to Paul's powerful statement about becoming a new creation.
Christianity is not simply about improving an old life through greater effort.
Paul describes something deeper because God creates a new identity in Christ and begins transforming the believer from the inside.
The old way of living no longer has to control the person.
The new life is centered on Christ.
This new identity also creates a new responsibility.
Those who have experienced God's reconciliation are called to become messengers of reconciliation.
Paul uses the picture of an ambassador because an ambassador represents someone else's authority and message.
Christians therefore represent Christ and are called to communicate God's invitation rather than inventing their own message.
The final verse explains the foundation of this reconciliation.
Christ, who was without sin, took upon Himself what belonged to sinners so that those who belong to Him could receive God's righteousness.
The chapter therefore moves from temporary life to eternal hope, from fear to confidence, from selfish living to Christ-centered living, from an old identity to a new creation, and from receiving reconciliation to becoming messengers of reconciliation.
Overall, 2 Corinthians 5 teaches that because Christ has changed our relationship with God and given us hope beyond this temporary life, we should live faithfully, love others, represent Christ honestly, and invite people to experience the restored relationship with God that He offers through Jesus.