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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER FIVE:
AMBASSADORS LONGING FOR HOME

[“Home-sick Ambassadors”]
Key word: Home
Theme verse: 8

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 – A New Dwelling in Heaven

2CO5:1 For we realize that if ever our earthly habitat of this tent should be taken down, 102 we are going to possess a building originating from God 103 – not a handmade house 104 – ageless in the Celestialum. 105

102

We realize that if ever our earthly habitat of this tent should be taken down: That is, “When ever this earthly dwelling is dissolved.” Or, KJV: if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved; destroyed, dismantled, demolished. The human body is to be destroyed. For details see the notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on 1 Corinthians 15, or the Biblical Article The Resurrection – According to Paul. The Greek refers to the pulling up stakes of a tent so that it collapse and be rolled up. Peter uses a similar metaphor. Compare notes on 2 Peter 1:13, 14 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

103	We are going to possess a building originating from God: Or, GDS: a building in heaven to live in; PME: a permanent house in heaven. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 15:38.

104	Not a handmade house: Paul explains this phrase in Hebrews 9:11 means “not of this creation.” [Note also Daniel 2:45.] The new spiritual body of the resurrected Saints is “not of this creation.” Compare 1 Corinthians 15:48, 50; Philippians 3:21.

105	Ageless in the Celestialum: Or, KJV: eternal in the heavens; BAR: made to last in heaven for ever. The Saints do not live forever on earth, but in a celestial home. This does not exclude the temporary “encampment” of the New Jerusalem during the Thousand Years. [Revelation 5:10; 21:2]

2CO5:2 Now in this [tent] we continue to groan, 106 longing to dress ourselves in our celestial habitation, 107

106	Now in this [tent] we continue to groan: Compare notes on Romans 8:22, 23. “Groaning” will be the norm for the Saints while in this present earthly tabernacle.

107

Longing to dress ourselves in our celestial habitation: Or, KJV: earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven; BAR: house of our heavenly frame. To Paul there are three states: a] residence in the human tent which will ultimately dissolve or be taken down; b] nakedness in the grave; and, c] dressed in new celestial clothing eternally in the heavens. [Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 15:48-50]

2CO5:3 so, having dressed ourselves, we shall not be found as those without clothes. 108

108	We shall not be found as those without clothes: Or, naked. Compare a similar conflict at Philippians 1:23. He means dead in the grave – naked.

2CO5:4 Indeed, existing in this tent, we are groaning and burdened, not wanting to undress, 109 but rather to dress ourselves 110 – so that what is mortal may be devoured by the Life. 111 [Isaiah 25:8]

109

Not wanting to undress: Or, strip ourselves. He does not want to die. Paul did not believe he would immediately go to heaven upon his death. [2 Timothy 4:18] Compare notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. The Saints must await the Parousia before they are raised from their naked corruptible state. [1 Corinthians 15:23, 50-52; 1 Peter 1:4]

110	But rather to dress ourselves: Or, clothe ourselves; be dressed in. To put on the new, celestial habitat described by Paul as glorious, powerful, heavenly, incorruptible and immortal. [1 Corinthians 15:40-51] See the Biblical Article The Resurrection – According to Paul.

111

What is mortal may be devoured by the Life: Or, swallowed, absorbed. Some versions add “immortal” though the word is not in the Greek. Paul makes an interpretative paraphrase of Isaiah 25:8. He makes a quote of Isaiah 25:8 at 1 Corinthians 15:53, 54 and gives his inspired interpretation of it to the attainment of immortality. Isaiah 25:8 is also alluded to at Revelation 7:17 and Revelation 21:4 – both referring to the Saints.

2CO5:5 Now the One who produced us for this very thing is God, 112 the One having given us the token of the Pneuma. 113

112	Who produced us for this very thing is God: Or, prepared, shaped, formed. [Ephesians 2:10]

113	The One having given us the token of the Pneuma: Or, earnest, pledge, guarantee, first installment, foretaste. [Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:14]

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 – At Home with the Lord

2CO5:6 Being of good courage, 114 therefore, we are always aware that if we have our home in this body, we are absent from the Master. 115

114	Good courage: Or, confidence, take heart.

115

If we have our home in this body, we are absent from the Master: The human, earthly body must be destroyed or “dissolved” [KJV] before the Saints may gain the presence of Christ. This will not occur until the Return of the Master. [Matthew 24:29-31; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17] Compare notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on 1 Corinthians 15:23.

2CO5:7 For we are walking by faith and not by sight. 116

116	We are walking by faith and not by sight: Or, TCN: we guide our lives by faith, and not by what we see. Compare notes on 2 Corinthians 4:18. [Romans 8:24]

2CO5:8 We continue to be of good courage. We also think it better to become absent from the body and thus enter the Master’s presence. 117

117	Enter the Master’s presence: Or, TCN: make our home with the Master. [John 14:1-3] Compare notes on 1 John 2:28.

2CO5:9 And so, whether absent or present, we want to be acceptable to him. 118

118	We want to be acceptable to him: Or, well-pleasing; BAR: our one ambition to please him.

2CO5:10 For it is necessary 119 that all of us appear in front of the judgment-seat of the Christ, 120 so that we might receive what we deserve for those things performed by means of the body, 121 whether these things be good or vile. 122 [Daniel 12:2]

119	It is necessary: Or, must, have to. [Hebrews 9:27]

120

All of us appear in front of the judgment-seat of the Christ: Or, made manifest; TCN: the Bar of Christ we must all appear in our true characters; MOF: tribunal of; BAR: what is due him. Christ the Son has been given the power of judgment. [John 4:24-29] Most of the Nazarene’s parables dealing with his parousia indicate a judgment on his own Household. [Matthew 13:37-43; 24:45-25:46; Luke 12:35-48] See notes on 1 Peter 4:17. [Revelation 11:17, 18] All former members of the Church of Christ will be raised to stand before Christ’s judgment throne. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 4:5. This will occur before the Saints begin to judge the world. [1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 20:4]

121	We might receive what we deserve for those things performed by means of the body: Or, TCN: reap the results; GDS: to be repaid; WMS: get his pay; NWT: award; BAR: what is due him. On this matter of judgment compare Daniel 12:2 with John 5:29. The Nazarene taught such a judgment. [Matthew 12:35, 36]

122

Whether these things be good or vile: Or, good or bad, good or worthless, well or ill, good or evil. The language is similar to that of Jesus at John 5:29 which is drawn from Daniel 12:2. There is no middle ground: a life has either been good or bad as a sum of its thoughts and actions. Compare notes on 1 John 2:28.

2 Corinthians 5:11-15 – Conscience and Boasting

2CO5:11 Having experienced, therefore, the fear of the Master, 123 we continue to convince persons, 124 though we have been made manifest to God. But I continue to hope, also, that we have been made manifest in the consciences of you [Corinthians].

123	The fear of the Master: Or, KJV: terror of the Master; BAR: what the fear of God is. [Hebrews 10:26-31] Based on the thought of this judgment before Christ. On “fear” compare notes on 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Philippians 2:12.

124	We continue to convince persons: Or, persuade, trying to win, appeal to. Indeed, it is also this “fear of the Master” that Paul continues to “convince persons.” Note this effort of Paul at Acts 17:3, 11, 12; 18:4.

2CO5:12 We are not again commending ourselves, but rather giving you all an opportunity to boast in our behalf, so that you may respond to those who boast over face-value and not regarding the heart. 2CO5:13 For whether we were beside ourselves 125 – to God! Or, if sound in mind – to you [Corinthians]!

125	Beside ourselves: Or, mad, insane, out of my mind.

2CO5:14 For the compassionate affection of the Christ constrains us 126 – this is what we have determined – that one person died on behalf of everyone. 127 Then in reality, they all died.

126	Constrains us: Or, compels, controls.

127	One person died on behalf of everyone: Compare notes on Matthew 20:28 and 1 Timothy 2:6. Christ died for everyone so that all may have a resurrection on Judgment Day. [Acts 24:15; 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23]

2CO5:15 Now, he died in behalf of everyone so that those living might not continue living for just themselves, 128 but instead for the One who died in their behalf, and then was raised up.

128	So that those living might not continue living for just themselves: Or, NEB: cease to live for themselves. [Romans 6:4, 6] Here are the conditions: the Saint can no longer live a self-centered life focused on only his interests and not those of the Master.

2 Corinthians 5:16-19 – A New Creation

2CO5:16 As a result, from now on we know no one according to the flesh. 129 And, if we have [once] known Christ according to the flesh, 130 we know him as such no more. 131

129

We know no one according to the flesh: Or, TCN: we refuse to regard anyone from the world’s standpoint; RSV: we regard no one form a human point of view; NEB: with us therefore worldly standards have ceased to count in our estimate of any man. Therefore, no more fleshly judgmental attitudes. [Matthew 7:1, 2; Romans 14:4]

130	If we have [once] known Christ according to the flesh: Eyewitnesses were still alive. [1 John 1:1-3]

131	We know him as such no more: If Christ were still flesh – as though resurrected in the flesh, and ascended to heaven in the flesh, Paul could not make this statement. On the manner of Christ’s resurrection compares notes on 1 Corinthians 15:40-50 and 1 Peter 3:18.

2CO5:17 And so if anyone [is] united in Christ – a new creation! 132 The old things passed away, 133 look! new things exist! 134

132

If anyone [is] united in Christ – a new creation: Or, in union with, belongs to; TCN: a new being; PME: a new person altogether; BAS: a new world. [Galatians 6:15] The same as the New Person in Christ of Ephesians 4:22, 23 and Colossians 3:10. If someone who has not seen a former associate who had become a Christian, the person he now meets is a completely new and different individual.

133	The old things passed away: That is, former thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

134	New things exist: New thoughts, attitudes and actions. Compare these new things at Colossians 3:12-14. This “new creation” is more loving, more compassionate, greater kindness, greater humility, more mild and gentle, more tolerate and patient.

2CO5:18 But everything originates from The God, the One who reconciled us to Himself by means of Christ, and has given to us the ministry of the reconciliation 135 –

135	The ministry of the reconciliation: Or, making peace, making friends. The same as the ministry of the New Covenant. [2 Corinthians 3:6]

2CO5:19 in that God was in Christ reconciling to Himself a world of humankind, 136 no longer reckoning to them their trespasses 137 – and He entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.

136	Reconciling to Himself a world of humankind: Compare notes on Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:20. Paul speaks of that future world of which Abraham was an heir. [Romans 4:13]

137	No longer reckoning to them their trespasses: This is understood as a potential rather than a blanket absolute. [Romans 4:25; 5:18]

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 – Ambassadors for Christ

2CO5:20 So, we are ambassadors 138 in behalf of Christ, as though The God was making an entreaty by means of us. In behalf of Christ, we make this supplication: “you [Corinthians] become reconciled to The God.” 139

138	Ambassadors: Or, envoys, representatives. [Ephesians 6:20] It is a synonym for “apostle”, that is one sent forth as a representative of God.

139	Become reconciled to The God: That is, to come back into friendly relations with God. The Corinthians were already Christians, but their attitudes and conduct had parted them from Christ and wounded any relationship with God. They were in serious need of making peace with God.

2CO5:21 The person who had not experienced sin, he was made sin in our behalf, 140 so that we might become God’s righteousness in him.

140	He was made sin in our behalf: That is, Christ became a sin-offering in our behalf. Compare the possible echo at Leviticus 16:21. [Hebrews 9:28]

Review Questions on Chapter Five