Our Eternal Dwelling
The idea of eternal hope is promising, with...
The idea of eternal hope is promising, with heavenly bodies replacing our dying ones. The God of resurrection will raise us and present us with all believers (4:14). Paul faced challenges in Ephesus, which inspired this statement about resurrection hope (1:8–11). His body's weakness reminded him of life after death, when our earthly body will be taken down in death and decay (see 1 Corinthians 15:42–57; Philippians 3:20–21).
1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5And it is God who has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. 7For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
The goal of life is to please him...
The goal of life is to please him (see also Romans 12:1–2; 14:18; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). This goal will be tested when we stand before Christ for judgment. The judge is also our advocate, so we are confident of being found not guilty (Romans 8:1, 33–34). However, actions done in this earthly body will be evaluated and held accountable (Acts 17:31).
9So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
Ambassadors for Christ
Paul explains the main theme of his message:...
Paul explains the main theme of his message: reconciliation. This means turning enemies into friends and restoring relationships. Paul's ideas are based on what God did through Christ to reconcile sinners to Himself (5:18–21). He presents this explanation while defending his own ministry (5:11–17) and applying his message to the situation in Corinth (6:1–7:4).
11Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. 12We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
13If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
Paul's teaching on reconciliation comes from his beliefs...
Paul's teaching on reconciliation comes from his beliefs that:
Christ died for all believers;
in Christ, believers also die to sin and self; and
now all believers should live for Christ.
This new life in Christ leads to a new way of seeing others and Christ.
Christ died for all believers;
in Christ, believers also die to sin and self; and
now all believers should live for Christ.
14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. 15And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
From a human perspective, Paul might recall his...
From a human perspective, Paul might recall his past belief as a Pharisee that the Messiah would free the Jews from political oppression.
Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer: Christ rose from the dead, began the new creation (5:17), and became the redeemer from sin and Lord of the universe (Romans 1:3–4; Philippians 2:6–11; Colossians 1:15–20).
From a human perspective, Paul might recall his past belief as a Pharisee that the Messiah would free the Jews from political oppression.
Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer: Christ rose from the dead, began the new creation (5:17), and became the redeemer from sin and Lord of the universe (Romans 1:3–4; Philippians 2:6–11; Colossians 1:15–20).
16So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.† The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
God gives his servants the message and ministry...
God gives his servants the message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ.
God has given us the task of reconciling people. Paul speaks of his own ministry, but sharing this message is the responsibility of all believers. Christ’s ambassadors call people to accept what God has done so they can be made right with God through Christ.
Christ paid the penalty for people’s sins to remove all barriers between God and humans and to make us right with God.
God gives his servants the message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ.
God has given us the task of reconciling people. Paul speaks of his own ministry, but sharing this message is the responsibility of all believers. Christ’s ambassadors call people to accept what God has done so they can be made right with God through Christ.
Christ paid the penalty for people’s sins to remove all barriers between God and humans and to make us right with God.
18All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. 21God made Him who knew no sin to be sin† on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.