2 Corinthians 5:5

THE MESSAGE

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
Having something made specifically for us from God is something special. We know it's waiting on us because the Holy Spirit was the guarantee sent to us as a promise of what's to come.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

Bible in Basic English
Now he who has made us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a witness of what is to come.

Darby Translation
Now he that has wrought us for this very thing [is] God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit.

Christian Standard Bible®
And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

World English Bible
Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Now he that hath wrought us to this very thing is God, who hath also given us the earnest of the Spirit.

Weymouth's New Testament
And He who formed us with this very end in view is God, who has given us His Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that bliss.

King James Version (1611)
Now he that hath wrought vs for the selfe same thing, is God, who also hath giuen vnto vs the earnest of the spirit.

Literal Translation
And the One having worked in us for this same thing is God, who also is giving us the earnest of the Spirit.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But he that hath ordeyned vs for this, is God, which hath geuen vs the earnest of the sprete.

Mace New Testament (1729)
now he that hath prepared us for this very state, is God, who hath given us the spirit as a pledge of it.

Amplified Bible
Now He who has made us and prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the [Holy] Spirit as a pledge [a guarantee, a down payment on the fulfillment of His promise].

American Standard Version
Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Revised Standard Version
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
He that hath ordeyned vs for this thynge ys god which very same hath geven vnto vs the ernest of the sprete.

Update Bible Version
Now he that worked us for this very thing is God, who gave to us the earnest of the Spirit.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now he that hath wrought us for this same thing [is] God, who also hath given to us the earnest of the Spirit.

Young's Literal Translation
And He who did work us to this self-same thing [is] God, who also did give to us the earnest of the Spirit;

New Century Version
This is what God made us for, and he has given us the Spirit to be a guarantee for this new life.

New English Translation
Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

Berean Standard Bible
And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.

Contemporary English Version
God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it.

Complete Jewish Bible
Moreover, it is God who has prepared us for this very thing, and as a pledge he has given us his Spirit.

English Standard Version
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And he that hath created vs for this thing, is God, who also hath giuen vnto vs the earnest of the Spirit.

George Lamsa Translation
Now he who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given to us the pledge of his Spirit.

Hebrew Names Version
Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.

International Standard Version
God has prepared us for this and has given us his Spirit as a guarantee.Isaiah 29:23; Romans 8:23; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:14; 2:10; 4:30;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And he who prepareth us for this is Aloha, who hath given to us the earnest-pledge of his Spirit.

Murdock Translation
And he that prepareth us for this thing, is God: who hath given us the earnest of his Spirit.

New King James Version
Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

New Living Translation
God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

New Life Bible
It is God Who has made us ready for this change. He has given us His Spirit to show us what He has for us.

English Revised Version
Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

New Revised Standard
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now, he that hath wrought us for this very thing, is, God, - who hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit,

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now he that maketh us for this very thing is God, who hath given us the pledge of the Spirit,

King James Version
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Lexham English Bible
Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the down payment, the Spirit.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
He that hath ordeyned vs for this thyng [is] God, which hath also geuen vnto vs the earnest of the spirite.

Easy-to-Read Version
This is what God himself made us for. And he has given us the Spirit as the first payment to guarantee the life to come.

New American Standard Bible
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a pledge.

Good News Translation
God is the one who has prepared us for this change, and he gave us his Spirit as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But who is it that makith vs in to this same thing? God, that yaf to vs the ernes of the spirit.

Contextual Overview

¹For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less. ⁶That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming. ⁹But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. ¹¹That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We're not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

wrought: 2 Corinthians 4:17, Isaiah 29:23, Isaiah 60:21, Isaiah 61:3, Ephesians 2:10

the earnest: 2 Corinthians 1:22, Numbers 13:23-27, Romans 8:23, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 4:30, 1 John 3:24

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:7 - built of stone Job 33:29 - all Psalms 31:19 - wrought Romans 8:16 - Spirit 2 Corinthians 1:6 - effectual 2 Corinthians 1:21 - stablisheth Colossians 1:12 - made

Cross-References

Genesis 5:12
When Kenan was seventy years old, he had Mahalalel. After he had Mahalalel, he lived another 840 years, having more sons and daughters. Kenan lived a total of 910 years. And he died.

Genesis 5:21
When Enoch was sixty-five years old, he had Methuselah. Enoch walked steadily with God. After he had Methuselah, he lived another 300 years, having more sons and daughters. Enoch lived a total of 365 years.

Genesis 5:32
When Noah was 500 years old, he had Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Hebrews 9:27
Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ's death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing,.... By "the selfsame thing" is meant, either the cross, the burden of sorrows and afflictions, under which the saints groan whilst here, which God has appointed them unto, and therefore to be bore patiently by them; or that glory and immortality, which they, as vessels of mercy, were prepared by him for from everlasting; for which their bodies and souls are formed by him in creation, and for which they are made meet in regeneration, by the curious workmanship of his Spirit and grace upon them: and seeing he "is God", and not man, who hath wrought them for this, either by his secret purposes and preparations of grace in eternity, or by his open works of creation and regeneration in time; there is no doubt but they shall certainly enjoy it, since his counsels are immutable, and he is a rock, and his work is perfect; whatever he begins he finishes, nor is he ever frustrated of his end: one of Stephens's copies adds, "and hath anointed us", which seems to have been transcribed from 2 Corinthians 1:21.

Who also hath given us the earnest of the Spirit; and therefore may be assured of possessing the inheritance, of which he is the earnest; see 2 Corinthians 1:22.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing - The phrase “self-same thing” here means this very thing, that is, the thing to which he had referred - the preparation for heaven, or the heavenly dwelling. The word “wrought” here (κατεργασάμενος katergasamenos) means that God had formed or made them for this; that is, he had by the influences of the Spirit, and by his agency on the heart, created them, as it were, for this, and adapted them to it. God has destined us to this change from corruption to incorruption; he has adapted us to it; he has formed us for it. It does not refer to the original creation of the body and the soul for this end, but it means that God, by his own renewing, and sanctifying, and sustaining agency, had formed them for this, and adapted them to it. The object of Paul in stating that it was done by God, is to keep this truth prominently before the mind. It was not by any native inclination, or strength, or power which they had, but it was all to be traced to God; compare Ephesians 2:10.

Who also hath given - In addition to the fitting for eternal glory he has given us the earnest of the Spirit to sustain us here. We are not only prepared to enter into heaven, but we have here also the support produced by the earnest of the Spirit.

The earnest of the Spirit - On the meaning of this, see the note on 2 Corinthians 1:22. He has given to us the Holy Spirit as the pledge or assurance of the eternal inheritance.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 5:5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing — God has given us our being and our body for this very purpose, that both might be made immortal, and both be glorified together. Or, God himself has given us this insatiable hungering and thirsting after righteousness and immortality. Mr. Addison has made a beautiful paraphrase of the sense of the apostle, whether he had his words in view or not:-

"---Whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire,

This longing after immortality?

Or whence this secret dread and inward horror

Of falling into nought? Why shrinks the soul

Back on herself, and startles at destruction?

'Tis the Divinity that stirs within us;

'Tis Heaven itself that points out an hereafter,

And intimates eternity to man.---

The soul, secured in her existence, smiles

At the drawn dagger, and defies its point.

The stars shall fade away, the sun himself

Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years;

But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth,

Unhurt amidst the war of elements,

The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds."

The earnest of the Spirit. — See note on 2 Corinthians 1:22.