2 Corinthians 5:1

Contextual Overview

¹Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.¹ For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ¹ This wall tent we live in here will one day be taken down and put away. What we will get is a brand-new body in heaven that won't flap, sag, or tear. God is going to do us up just right. ¹ For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.¹For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ¹ For we are conscious that if this our tent of flesh is taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in heaven. ¹ For we know that if our earthly tabernacle house be destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ¹ For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. ¹ For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. ¹ For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

we know: Job 19:25, Job 19:26, Psalms 56:9, 2 Timothy 1:12, 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 3:19, 1 John 5:19, 1 John 5:20

our: 2 Corinthians 5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Genesis 3:19, Job 4:19, 1 Corinthians 15:46-48, 2 Peter 1:13, 2 Peter 1:14

dissolved: Job 30:22, 2 Peter 3:11

a building: John 14:2, John 14:3, 1 Corinthians 3:9, Hebrews 11:10

an: Colossians 2:11, Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 9:24, 1 Peter 1:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:7 - dust Genesis 18:27 - dust Exodus 38:21 - tabernacle of testimony Leviticus 11:33 - ye shall break it Leviticus 11:35 - they shall be Leviticus 14:5 - earthen vessel Leviticus 15:12 - vessel Leviticus 23:42 - General Numbers 23:10 - the death Deuteronomy 32:49 - and behold Job 13:12 - to bodies Job 33:6 - I also Psalms 23:6 - and I Psalms 73:24 - receive Ecclesiastes 3:21 - knoweth Ecclesiastes 7:1 - the day Isaiah 57:2 - He shall Daniel 2:34 - was cut Daniel 12:13 - rest Mark 14:58 - General Luke 16:9 - into John 11:25 - he that Romans 8:10 - the body Romans 8:28 - we know 1 Corinthians 9:26 - not 1 Corinthians 15:47 - first 1 Corinthians 15:50 - that 2 Corinthians 4:14 - that 2 Corinthians 5:6 - whilst Philippians 1:21 - to die Philippians 3:14 - press Philippians 3:20 - our 1 Timothy 6:6 - godliness Hebrews 8:2 - which Hebrews 10:34 - in yourselves that ye have Hebrews 11:14 - they seek Hebrews 13:14 - General 1 Peter 5:1 - a partaker 2 Peter 1:11 - an entrance 1 John 5:13 - ye may know

Cross-References

Genesis 2:4
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens-

Genesis 2:4
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that Yahweh God made earth and heaven.

Genesis 2:4
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven.

Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heauens and of the earth when they were created, in the day when the Lord God made the earth and the heauens.

Genesis 2:4
This is the story about the creation of the sky and the earth. This is what happened when the Lord God made the earth and the sky.

Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

Genesis 2:4
These ben the generaciouns of heuene and of erthe, in the day wherynne the Lord God made heuene and erthe,

Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heauens, & of the earth, when they were created; in the day that the LORD God made the earth, and the heauens,

Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For we know, that if our earthly house,.... By this house is meant the body, so called from its being like a well built house, a curious piece of architecture; as an house consists of a variety of parts fitly framed and put together in just symmetry and proportion, and with an entire usefulness in all, so is the body of man; which shows the power and wisdom of God the architect: likewise, because it is the dwelling place of the soul, which makes it appear, that the soul is more excellent than the body, is independent of it, and capable of a separate existence from it: it is said to be an "earthly" house, because it is from the earth; is supported by earthly things; has its present abode on the earth, and will quickly return to it: and the earthly house of this tabernacle, in allusion to the tabernacles the patriarchs and Israelites of old dwelt in; or to the tents and tabernacles of soldiers, shepherds, travellers, and such like persons, which are soon put up and taken down, and removed from place to place; and denotes the frailty and short continuance of our mortal bodies. So Plato z calls the body

γηινον σκηνος, "an earthly tabernacle"; so the Jews were wont to call the body an house, and a "tabernacle":

"every man (they say a) has two houses, בית הגוף, "the house of the body", and the house of the soul; the one is the outward, the other the inward house.''

So Abarbinel b paraphrases those words, Isaiah 18:4.

""I will consider in my dwelling place; I will return", or again consider in my dwelling place, which is the body, for that is משכן הנפש, "the tabernacle of the soul".''

Now this tabernacle may, and will be, "dissolved", unpinned, and taken down; which does not design an annihilation of it, but a dissolution of its union with the soul, and its separation from it: and when the apostle puts an "if" upon it, it is not to be understood as though it is uncertain whether it would be dissolved or not, unless it be said with a view to the change that will be on living saints at Christ's second coming; but it is rather a concession of the matter, and may be rendered, "though the earthly house", c. or it points out the time when the saints' future happiness shall begin, "when the earthly house", c. and signifies that being in the body, in some sense, retards the enjoyment of it. Now it is the saints' comfort whilst they are in it, and in a view of the dissolution of it, that they

have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens? which some understand of the glorified body upon its resurrection, as opposed to its frail, mortal, earthly frame in its present situation though rather all this designs the happiness of the saints, which will be begun, and they shall immediately enter into, at the dissolution of their bodies, and will be consummated at the resurrection which is all of God's building and preparing; not made by the hands of the creature; or obtained by works of righteousness done by men; and it lies in the heavens, and will continue for ever. So the c Jews speak of בית קדישא, "the holy house", in the world to come, and which they suppose is intended in

Isaiah 56:5. In this the saints have a present interest; they have it already built and prepared for them; they have an indubitate right and title to it through the righteousness of Christ; they have it secured to them in Christ, their feoffee in trust, their head and representative; and they have the earnest of it, the Spirit of God in their hearts; of all which they have sure and certain knowledge: "for we know"; they are well assured of the truth of this from the promise of God, who cannot lie, from the declaration of the Gospel, the testimony of the Spirit, and the close and inseparable connection there is between the grace they have already received, and the glory that shall be hereafter.

z In Clement. Alexandr. Stromat. l. 5. p. 593. a Sepher Caphtor, fol. 38. 2. b Mashmia Jeshua, fol. 11. 4. c Zohar in Exod. fol. 34. 3. & 35. 3.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For we know - We who are engaged in the work of the gospel ministry. Paul is giving a reason why he and his fellow-laborers did not become weary and faint in their work. The reason was, that they knew that even if their body should die, they had an inheritance reserved for them in heaven. The expression “we know” is the language of strong and unwavering assurance. They had no doubt on the subject. And it proves that there may be the assurance of eternal life; or such evidence of acceptance with God as to leave no doubt of a final admission into heaven. This language was often used by the Saviour in reference to the truths which he taught John 3:11; John 4:22; and it is used by the sacred writers in regard to the truths which they recorded, and in regard to their own personal piety; Joh 21:24; 1 John 2:3, 1 John 2:5,1 John 2:18; 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 3:19, 1Jo 3:24; 1 John 4:6, 1Jo 4:13; 1 John 5:2, 1Jo 5:15, 1 John 5:19-20.

That if our earthly house - The word “earthly” here (ἐπιγειος epigeios) stands opposed to “heavenly,” or to the house eternal (ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς en tois ouranois) in the heavens.” The word properly means “upon earth, terrestrial, belonging to the earth, or on the earth,” and is applied to bodies 1 Corinthians 15:40; to earthly things John 3:12; to earthly, or worldly wisdom, James 3:15. The word “house” here refers doubtless to the body, as the habitation, or the dwelling-place of the mind or soul. The soul dwells in it as we dwell in a house, or tent.

Of this tabernacle - This word means a booth, or tent - a movable dwelling. The use of the word here is not a mere redundancy, but the idea which Paul designs to convey is, doubtless, that the body - the house of the soul - was not a permanent dwelling-place, but was of the same nature as a booth or tent, that was set up for a temporary purpose, or that was easily taken down in migrating from one place to another. It refers here to the body as the frail and temporary abode of the soul. It is not a permanent dwelling; a fixed habitation, but is liable to be taken down at any moment, and was suited up with that view. Tyndale renders it, “if our earthly mansion wherein we now dwell.” The Syriac renders it, “for we know that if our house on earth, which is our body, were dissolved.” The idea is a beautiful one, that the body is a mere unfixed, movable dwelling. place; liable to be taken down at any moment, and not designed, anymore than a tent is, to be a permanent habitation.

Were dissolved - (καταλυθῇ kataluthē). This word means properly to disunite the parts of anything; and is applied to the act of throwing down, or destroying a building. It is applied here to the body, regarded as a temporary dwelling that might be taken down, and it refers, doubtless, to the dissolution of the body in the grave. The idea is, that if this body should moulder back to dust, and be resolved into its original elements; or if by great zeal and, labor it should be exhausted and worn out. Language like this is used by Eliphaz, the Temanite, in describing the body of man. “How much less in those that dwell in houses of clay,” etc.; Job 4:19; compare 2 Peter 1:13-14.

We have a building of God - Robinson (Lexicon) supposes that it refers to “the future spiritual body as the abode of the soul.” Some have supposed that it refers to some “celestial vehicle” with which God invests the soul during the intermediate state. But the Scripture is silent about any such celestial vehicle. It is not easy to tell what was the precise idea which Paul here designed to convey. Perhaps a few remarks may enable us to arrive at the meaning:

(1) It was not to be temporary; not a tent or tabernacle that could be taken down.

(2) It was to be eternal in the heavens.

(3) It was to be such as to constitute a dwelling; a clothing, or such a protection as should keep the soul from being “naked.”

(4) It was to be such as should constitute “life” in contradistinction from “mortality.” These things will better agree with the supposition of its referring to the future body of the saints than any thing else; and probably the idea of Paul is, that the body there will be incorruptible and immortal. When he says it is a “building of God” (ἐκ Θεοῦ ek Theou), he evidently means that it is made by God; that he is the architect of that future and eternal dwelling. Macknight and some others, however, understood this of the mansions which God has prepared for His people in heaven, and which the Lord Jesus has gone to prepare for them; compare John 14:2. But see the note on 2 Corinthians 5:3.

An house - A dwelling; an abode; that is, according to the interpretation above, a celestial, pure, immortal body; a body that shall have God for its immediate author, and that shall be suited to dwell in heaven forever.

Not made with hands - Not constructed by man; a habitation not like those which are made by human skill, and which are therefore easily taken down or removed, but one that is made by God himself. This does not imply that the “earthly house” which is to be superseded by that in heaven is made with hands, but the idea is, that the earthly dwelling has things about it which resemble that which is made by man, or as if it were made with hands; that is it is temporary, frail, easily taken down or removed. But that which is in heaven is permanent, fixed, eternal, as if made by God.

Eternal in the heavens - Immortal; to live forever. The future body shall never be taken down or dissolved by death. It is eternal, of course, only in respect to the future, and not in respect to the past. And it is not only eternal, but it is to abide forever in the heavens - in the world of glory. It is never to be subjected to a dwelling on the earth; never to be in a world of sin, suffering, and death.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER V.

The apostle's strong hope of eternal glory, and earnest

longings after that state of blessedness, 1-4.

The assurance that he had of it from the Holy Spirit, and his

carefulness to be always found pleasing to the Lord, 5-9.

All must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 10.

Knowing that this awful event must take place, he laboured to

convince men of the necessity of being prepared to meet the

Lord, being influenced to this work by his love of Christ,

11-13.

Jesus Christ having died for all, is a proof that all were

dead, 14.

Those for whom he died should live to him, 15.

We should know no man after the flesh, 16.

They who are in Christ are new creatures, 17.

The glorious ministry of reconciliation, 18-21.

NOTES ON CHAP. V.

Verse 2 Corinthians 5:1. If our earthly house of this tabernacle — By earthly house, the apostle most evidently means the body in which the soul is represented as dwelling or sojourning for a time, and from which it is to be liberated at death; for as death dissolves the tabernacle, it can then be no habitation for the soul. The apostle also alludes here to the ancient Jewish tabernacle, which, on all removals of the congregation, was dissolved and taken in pieces; and the ark of the covenant, covered with its own curtains, was carried by itself; and when they came to the place of rest, then the dissolved parts of the tabernacle were put together as before. When we consider this simile in connection with the doctrine of the resurrection, which the apostle has treated so much at large in these epistles, and which he keeps constantly in view, then we shall see that he intends to convey the following meaning: that as the tabernacle was taken down in order to be again put together, so the body is to be dissolved, in order to be re-edified; that as the ark of the covenant subsisted by itself, while the tabernacle was down, so can the soul when separated from the body; that as the ark had then its own veil for its covering, Exodus 40:21, so the soul is to have some vehicle in which it shall subsist till it receives its body at the resurrection.

A building of God — Some think this refers to a certain celestial vehicle with which God invests holy souls on their dismissal from the body; others suppose it relates to the resurrection body; and some imagine that it relates merely to the state of blessedness which the saints shall possess in the kingdom of glory. See the following note.