The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

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- Chapter 5 -

(Romans 8:18–27)

For we know that, when our earthly house of this habitation is dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

And for this reason also, we groan, desiring to be clothed from above with our habitation from heaven.

If we are so clothed, then we will not be found to be naked.

Then too, we who are in this tabernacle groan under the burden, because we do not want to be stripped, but rather to be clothed from above, so that what is mortal may be absorbed by life.

Now the One who accomplishes this very thing in us is God, who has given us the pledge of the Spirit.

Therefore, we are ever confident, knowing that, while we are in the body, we are on a pilgrimage in the Lord.

For we walk by means of faith, and not by sight.

So we are confident, and we have the good will to be on a pilgrimage in the body, so as to be present to the Lord.

And thus we struggle, whether absent or present, to please him.

For it is necessary for us to be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive the proper things of the body, according to his behavior, whether it was good or evil.(a)

Ambassadors for Christ

Therefore, having knowledge of the fear of the Lord, we appeal to men, but we are made manifest before God. Yet I hope, too, that we may be made manifest in your consciences.

We are not commending ourselves again to you, but rather we are presenting you with an opportunity to glory because of us, when you deal with those who glory in face, and not in heart.

For if we are excessive in mind, it is for God; but if we are sober, it is for you.(b)

For the charity of Christ urges us on, in consideration of this: that if one died for all, then all have died.

And Christ died for all, so that even those who live might not now live for themselves, but for him who died for them and who rose again.

And so, from now on, we know no one according to the flesh. And though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him in this way no longer.(c)

So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new.

But all is of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is exhorting through us. We beseech you for Christ: be reconciled to God.

For God made him who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the justice of God in him.(d)

Footnotes

(a)5:10 The proper things of the body:In the particular judgment, immediately after death, the soul is rewarded or punished according to what it has done in the body.(Challoner)

(b)5:13 The phrase ‘mente excedimus’ could refer to seeming to be out of one’s mind to unbelievers, or it could refer to an ecstasy of mind, found in contemplative prayer.(Conte)

(c)5:16 We know no man according to the flesh:That is, we consider not any man with regard to his nation, family, kindred, or other natural qualities or advantages; but only with relation to Christ, and according to the order of divine charity, in God, and for God. The apostle adds, that even with respect to Christ himself, he now no longer considers him according to the flesh, by taking a satisfaction in his being his countryman; his affection being now purified from all such earthly considerations.(Challoner)

(d)5:21 Sin for us:That is, to be a sin offering, a victim for sin.(Challoner)

(Romans 8:18–27)

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.

For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

if indeed being clothed, we will not be found naked.

For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

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

Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.

For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Ambassadors for Christ

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.

For the love of Christ compels us; because we judge thus: that one died for all, therefore all died.

He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

Therefore we know no one according to the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold,(a) all things have become new.

But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;

namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Footnotes

(a)5:17 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.