A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 1 of 10 A Study of 2 Corinthians 5 I. Outline. 1. Assurance of the Resurrection (2 Cor 5.1-8). 2. The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5.9-11). 3. Be Reconciled to God (2 Cor 5.12-21). --NKJV Headings II. III. Summary. Paul continued to describe his attitude (which should be our attitude) toward suffering and death. Though our body here be destroyed, we have a dwelling in Heaven that is eternal. It is a habitation with which we should long to be clothed. Christians should not love this present world (2 Timothy 4.10). Our ties and ambitions here should not cause us to love Heaven less. We should long to be at home with the Lord. Our walk here is by faith, not sight. This is the Scriptural contrast. Nowhere in Scripture do we find a contrast between faith and knowledge. Faith is a form of knowledge. Faith is knowledge based on testimony. Bible faith is knowledge based on the testimony of God s Word. Sight is another avenue of knowledge knowledge based on sense perception. Faith is taking God at His Word. It does not imply uncertainty or guesswork. 2 Corinthians 5.10 destroys a great deal of false doctrine. Predestination, proxy baptism, salvation by faith only, once saved always saved, and many others, including some of the false doctrines about grace now current in the church, cannot survive the simple but powerful statements of 2 Corinthians 5.10. Our eternal destiny will be determined by what we do in the body. It will be according to what we have done whether good or bad. It was knowledge of God s judgment that caused Paul to persuade men. He denied that he was commending himself and said that if he was beside himself it must the work of God (thus denying that he was beside himself, as some were charging). He emphasized that all things are new in Christ (in opposition to those who wished to go back to the old) [Darrell Conley, 2 Corinthians A Summary, in Studies in 2 Corinthians, Editor: Dub McClish, 1989, p. 20]. Chronology. BIBLE PERIOD: The Period of the Church. If you are not familiar with the 15 Bible Periods, please click here: http://bit.ly/rvd8gw IV. Words/Phrases to Study 2 Corinthians 5.1 WE HAVE A BUILDING OF GOD, AN HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS Paul has spoken of looking for the things that are unseen and eternal (2Co_4:18). He now describes the body as only a tent dwelling, a temporary abode, in which we are camping during a journey. If death should come and the body be dissolved, there is another dwelling for the redeemed, "the spiritual body" described in 1Co_15:44, a heavenly and eternal body. To the saint, death is the exchange of the earthly tent dwelling for this eternal spiritual body [B.W. Johnson, The People s New Testament, an e-sword Module]. 2 Corinthians 5.2... FOR IN THIS WE GROAN, EARNESTLY DESIRING TO BE CLOTHED UPON Here the apostle contemplates life on earth and life after death. He longed to be clothed upon with the spiritual body which shall be given at the time of the resurrection [Rex Turner, Sr., Teacher s Annual Lesson Commentary, 1975, p., 287]. The Christian through faith in the glory of the future yearns
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 2 of 10 for rest from weariness and sufferings of mortality [David Lipscomb, Romans through Philemon, an e-sword Module]. 2 Corinthians 5.4... WE THAT ARE IN THIS TABERNACLE DO GROAN, BEING BURDENED... THAT MORTALITY MIGHT BE SWALLOWED UP OF LIFE...2 Corinthians 5.4 returns to the thought of 2 Corinthians 5.2 groaning in the body. If there was any doubt about what in this meant there, Paul made it plain here in this tabernacle. But Paul now added a further aspect to the groaning. It is not only because of a longing for the resurrection body but also because we are burdened. Paul recognized that his body was wearing out (2 Cor 4.16). Not only that, but faithful Christians of the first century underwent many sufferings on account of Christ (2 Cor 4.8-11). The fact of being burdened (@baroumenoi]) had already been mentioned by Paul when he said that in Asia he and Timothy were pressed out of measure above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life (2 Cor 1.8). The affliction experienced there caused him to long all the more for the eternal weight of glory (2 Cor 4.17). Paul wanted to reiterate, however, that the burdens of the body had given him no death wish. So he said (literally), We do not wish to put off but to put on. It was not the getting rid of the body that he longed for but rather the prospect of being super-indued with immortality, that mortality might be swallowed up of life (2 Cor 5.4). This thought is an echo of Isaiah 25.8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces (KJV). Paul previously explained that when... this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor 15.54). The author of Paul s strong desire was God Himself. He who first created us for His own glory (Isa 43.7) has wrought us, or spiritually recreated us, for this very thing to be fit to share in these Heavenly glories (2 Cor 5.5) [Gary Workman, Studies in 2 Corinthians, Editor: Dub McClish, p. 76]. 2 Corinthians 5.5... GIVEN UNTO US THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT God s plan for man includes man s putting off his earthly tabernacle in order that he may be clothed upon from on high, and man longs with groaning to be so clothed. God has given man the earnest of the Spirit as a guarantee that he will in time be clothed upon with an indissoluble spiritual body [Rex Turner, p. 287]. 2 Corinthians 5.6... WHILST WE ARE AT HOME IN THE BODY, WE ARE ABSENT FROM THE LORD While Paul had received the Holy Spirit, and this help, he was more confident of future blessings, and this made him feel that while he was on earth in the body he was absent from the Lord with the eternal glories of the spiritual bodies, so he desired to be with him [David Lipscomb]. 2 Corinthians 5.7... FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT The word walk is in the present tense, meaning continue or keep on walking. This word is used almost 300 times in the Bible.... This word is used to signify the spiritual activity demanded of those who will live in such a way so as to please the Lord. What is the WALK of a Christian? It is walking in newness of life (Romans 6.4). It is walking after the Spirit (Romans 8.4). It is walking in honesty before men (Rom 13.13). It is walking by faith (2 Cor 5.7). It is walking in good works (Eph 2.8-10). It is a walk of love (Eph 5.2). We must walk in wisdom (Col 4.5). We must walk in the truth (2 John 1.4). We must walk after the commandments of the Lord (2 John 1.6). God also tells us how we must NOT WALK. We must not walk after the flesh (Rom 8.4). We must not walk after the manner of men (1 Cor 3.3). We must not walk in craftiness (2 Cor 4.2). We must not walk by sight (2 Cor 5.7). We must not walk in the vanity of our minds (Eph 4.17). This walk is so important that we must WITHDRAW ourselves from all who walk disorderly (2 Th 3.6). BY FAITH... Faith is not a better felt than told experience. Faith is not a subjective feeling we have about God, Christ, or things divine. Faith is the firm persuasion and conviction based upon objective truth, the New Testament.... Faith is the assurance and confidence
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 3 of 10 which sustains us through life. No one can walk without this full assurance.... Christians must have great faith (Mt 15.28). NOT BY SIGHT... The word sight here means that which strikes the eye, that which is exposed to view, it notes the external appearance, form, or shape. The believer is one who sets his eye on the invisible (Heb 11.27). Believers see the unseen and look for the eternal (2 Cor 4.16-18). Paul is pleading for the Corinthian brethren to set their eyes on the eternal and to quit being beset by earthly troubles, trials, and persecutions (2 Cor 5.1-11). One of the great dangers facing man is his desiring to see with the naked eye every step, rather than trusting in God [Terry Joe Kee, For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight, in A Study of the Church at Corinth, Editor: Garland M. Robinson, 1995, pp., 26-28]. 2 Corinthians 5.10... FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST To let down his guard would have been fatal since all deeds will be laid open before Christ s judgment seat. Each will be rewarded on the basis of those deeds, so Paul took aim toward heaven to avoid missing being at home with the Lord [Gary C. Hampton, The God of All Comfort, an e-sword Module]. In thus outlining his own course, the apostle gave a salutary warning to his enemies that they should follow his example, and also gave them a tacit notice that, no matter how ill they might use him, they would still find him sustaining the conflict with untiring zeal [J.W. McGarvey, 1 st & 2 nd Corinthians, an e-sword Module]. 2 Corinthians 5.11... KNOWING THEREFORE THE TERROR OF THE LORD, WE PERSUADE MEN The apostles under the Great Commission (Mark 16.15-16) knew God s terrors for the wicked on the Judgment Day! Our God is not tyrannical nor whimsical in His terror, but since His favor has been offered to us and His love commended toward us while we were yet sinners (Rom 5.8), He will have no righteous choice except punishment for sin, to those who reject the gospel (Rom 11.22).... With this full assurance of God s wrath being promised to those in sin who refused the gospel, Paul sought with all of his might to persuade men to flee from sin to the blessings which all could enjoy in Christ. To know for sure what Paul persuaded men to become, we need to note the words of the wicked King Agrippa as he was visibly shaken by Paul s words Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian (Acts 26.28) [Gary Colley, Reconciliation through Christ (2 Corinthians 5.11-21), in Studies in 2 Corinthians, Editor: Dub McClish, p. 81]. 2 Corinthians 5.12... GIVE YOU OCCASION TO GLORY ON OUR BEHALF He wrote of these matters about his work so that they might be able to answer his enemies and defend his apostleship. Those enemies who made an outward show of their own importance were vainglorious braggarts, as are many who oppose the gospel today, rejecting the apostles authority. One who boasts of his education, appearance, or abilities above others is seldom able to do that of which he boasts. Sincerity, humility, and faithfulness seek the real welfare of the Lord s cause [Gary Colley, p. 82]. 2 Corinthians 5.13... FOR WHETHER WE BE BESIDE OURSELVES, IT IS TO GOD: OR WHETHER WE BE SOBER, IT IS FOR YOUR CAUSE This is probably designed to meet some of the charges which the false teachers in Corinth brought against him, and to furnish his friends there with a ready answer, as well as to show them the true principles on which he acted, and his real love for them. It is altogether probable that he was charged with being deranged; that many who boasted themselves of prudence, and soberness, and wisdom, regarded him as acting like a madman. It has not been uncommon, by any means, for the cold and prudent; for formal professors and for hypocrites to regard the warm-hearted and zealous friends of religion as maniacs. Festus thought Paul was deranged, when he said, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad, (Acts 26.24); and the Saviour Himself was regarded by His immediate relatives and friends as beside Himself
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 4 of 10 (Mark 3.21). And at all times there have been many, both in the church and out of it, who have regarded the friends of revivals, and of missions, and all those who have evinced any extraordinary zeal in religion, as deranged. The object of Paul here is to show, whatever might be the appearance or the estimate which they affixed to his conduct, what were the real principles which actuated him. These were zeal for God, love to the church, and the constraining influences of the love of Christ (2 Cor 5.14-15) [Albert Barnes, Barnes Notes on the New Testament, an e-sword Module]. 2 Corinthians 5.14... FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH US Paul was devoted in his service to Christ who would have him serve man. Though the apostle might be tempted to neglect this service, the love of Christ caused him to continue in it. He especially felt compelled to serve since Christ had representatively died for all. Paul was thus dead to sin and self, and alive in Christ (Rom 6.1-11; Gal 2.20; Col 3.3) [Gary C. Hampton]. 2 Corinthians 5.16... HENCEFORTH KNOW WE NO MAN AFTER THE FLESH As all have died to live new lives for Christ, they are not Jews and Gentiles; Romans, Greeks, or Scythians, but all are Christians, not to be known as belonging to the old fleshly races any longer. The Christ risen and sitting on the throne as our Lord is not in the flesh, and the Christ whom the church adores is that risen Christ [B.W. Johnson, The People s New Testament, an e-sword Module]. 2 Corinthians 5.17... IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE The one in Christ is a new creature or creation. Old things, such as motives, mission, and purposes, have passed away. New things now dominate, including a new name, a new relationship with Deity, a new set of friends, a new lifestyle, a new set of values, a new hope, a new religion, and a new worship that beckons his allegiance each Lord s Day. All of these beautiful blessings owe their origin to the generous God of heaven. He has reconciled us to Himself by the merits of the Messiah. Reconciliation implies a former alienation Sin has caused the alienation. God has been offended by our sins; we are thus the offenders. In Eden man took three steps away from God: He heard, believed, and obeyed a lie. This resulted in alienation. These steps must be retraced by men. This is how God reconciles us to Himself through the merits of Christ and Calvary s blood. We all have sinned and come short of God s glory (Rom 3.9, 23). In hearing, believing, and obeying the truth, we retrace those steps [Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Companion Annual Lesson Commentary, 1992-1993, p. 79]. 2 Corinthians 5.18... AND ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD, WHO HATH RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF BY JESUS CHRIST Because this great need existed, (that man was totally unable to extricate himself from the strangle hold sin held over him), and that God was filled with abundant mercy, God, to wit (namely), was in Christ, reconciling (conciliating or making friends again) the world unto Himself [Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Companion, 1992-1993, p. 79]. 2 Corinthians 5.19... NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES UNTO THEM He did not reckon to them their sins because by Gospel obedience on man s part and grace on God s part their sins had been pardoned. God does not reckon pardon or forgiveness to the wayward and wicked who refuse to believe and obey this Gospel of reconciliation [Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Companion, 1992-1993, p. 79]. God gave us a means of having our sins forgotten and re-establishing our friendship with Him. In turn, He wants us to tell others the terms of becoming God s friends [Gary C. Hampton]. 2 Corinthians 5.20... NOW THEN WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST Paul and his fellow apostles were ambassadors. They were appointed and duly commissioned to be such. These ambassadors represented the heavenly government when they spoke the truth. Those who heard them heard Christ (Luke 10.16). They were given the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16.19; 18.18). They echoed on earth what heavenly counsels already had decided. As Christ s ambassadors they
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 5 of 10 spoke in His behalf. What they taught as inspired apostles bore the same sovereign power as if Jesus were still on earth and speaking audibly. Nobody, absolutely nobody, occupies such positions today. We preach what these ambassadors or inspired witnesses revealed and set forth in sacred Scripture [Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Companion Annual Lesson Commentary, 1993-1994, p. 209]. 2 Corinthians 5.21... FOR HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN Jesus did not become a sinner personally. He became a sin-offering or a sacrifice for our sins. God made Him to be a sinbearer in order that we might become the righteousness of God. Obedience to the Gospel makes us righteous; we are justified; God treats us as though we had never sinned in regard to actual guilt of sin. Gospel submission makes us right with Deity [Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Companion, 1993-1994, p. 210]. V. Lessons & Applications. 2 Corinthians 5.1-10... In discussing the persecutions, tribulations, and hardships which characterized his and his fellow laborers ministry, the apostle Paul manifested a spirit of optimism; as may be seen by reading the reason which he gave for his hopeful outlook in the last paragraph of the preceding chapter, namely, 2 Corinthians 4.16-18. If there were no hope, there would be no optimism; for the latter proceeds upon the assumption that good will ultimately triumph over evil.... Christian optimism does not ignore nor belittle the disorder and evil which exist in the world; and the Christian optimist is not blind to the realities which are found all around him. He freely concedes that things are not as they should be; but, following the lead of Paul, he is willing to postpone sentence upon the facts, until the time when an intelligent judgment will be possible [Leslie G. Thomas, Teacher s Annual Lesson Commentary, 1967, pp., 84-85]. 2 Corinthians 5.2... FOR IN THIS WE GROAN This body is subject to ills, pains, and discomforts, which often cause us to groan, to long for deliverance from it. All this excites within us our hope of being clothed upon with our habitation from above, or our heavenly body which God shall give us in the resurrection. With Paul the idea of longing for this change was very common, but with most of us, especially the young and middle aged, it is a strange idea. But after one has suffered persecution, or bodily ailments due to disease or injury, life in this body may even, and usually does, become a burden, and people actually long for deliverance [Roy H. Lanier, Sr., Teacher s Annual Lesson Commentary, 1950, p. 208]. 2 Corinthians 5.7... NOT BY SIGHT We do not walk by sight, that is, we do not allow the things we see to draw us away from the course which the unseen things determine for us. We see pleasures about us, inviting us to join in the frivolities of the age; we see riches and the life of ease which the rich are able to live, but we cannot afford to allow these things to divert us from the path of righteousness determined by the unseen forces. Our faith in the unseen comes from the word of God (Rom 10.17). This shows us the necessity of a knowledge of God s word, for without it the unseen forces have no influence upon us. The things temporal and seen have all the advantage, being near us, a part of us and our daily lives, and so well adapted to the lusts and desires of the physical man, that it is difficult to keep our attention on the things unseen, which are far away, and appreciation for them has to be cultivated [Lanier, p. 209]. 2 Corinthians 5.9... THAT, WHETHER PRESENT OR ABSENT, WE MAY BE ACCEPTED OF HIM What a practical, yet what a wonderful aim! It is simple, yet it includes everything we ought to do and be. It means complete surrender to the Lord and to His will. We have no will of our own, but are submissive to Him in all He requires of us. It means that we recognize Him as all-wise, knowing what is best for
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 6 of 10 us; that He is good, requiring nothing of us but what is for our good; and that He is our Judge and to Him we must account for the way we have lived. Seeing that we must account to Him, it behooves us to live according to His directions, to please Him in all things that He may be pleased to approve of us in the day of judgment [Lanier, p. 210]. 2 Corinthians 5.10... RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE IN HIS BODY This simply means that we are to be judged according to the way we have lived. If we have been submissive to the will of the Lord, and have worked while it is day, we will be rewarded, but if we have been negligent and careless, or if we have been rebellious, we will be dealt with accordingly. Here again, we are impressed with the fact that our only opportunity for pleasing the Lord is in this life. There will not be an opportunity after death. It is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment (Heb 9.27). If we waste our opportunities here, we ll find ourselves begging for a drop of water in the next world (Luke 16.24) [Roy H. Lanier, Jr., Teacher s Annual Lesson Commentary, 1953, p. 90]. 2 Corinthians 5.19 COMMITTED UNTO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION An important part of the life we live for the Lord, the new life we live in Him or because of Him, is the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5.19). Paul not only preached it, he celebrated it. Look at the plural pronoun us in 2 Corinthians 5.18. Now all things are of God, he says, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Like anyone else saved by the grace of God in Christ, Paul had obeyed the gospel (Acts 9.18; 22.16). Paul referred to himself as the chief of all sinners (1 Tim 1.15) and the least of all the apostles (1 Cor 15.9). But by the grace of God I am what I am, he rejoiced, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Cor 15.10). Who would any of us be or where would any of us be were it not for the grace of God? Paul was grateful God in Christ had saved him and found him useful to the kingdom or church (1 Tim 1.16-20). Paul seemed to play on the Corinthian Christians salvation by grace, saying, We implore you on Christ s behalf, be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5.20) [David Powell, God s Law Concerning Reconciliation, in Forever Settled in Heaven, Editor: Gary Colley, 2012, p.396]. VI. Questions. True or False 01. Some people will not appear before the judgment seat of Christ. 02. Paul does not mention the resurrection of Christ in this chapter. 03. Paul considered himself an ambassador. 04. Paul seems quite optimistic in the first verse of this chapter. 05. EARNEST is used in this chapter in a way similar to EARNEST MONEY in business. I Found it in Verse(s) 06. Clothed and naked. 07. Being sober. 08. Imputing trespasses. 09. Present or absent. 10. Waking by faith, not by sight.
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 7 of 10 Short Answer 11. This result comes from being BURDENED: to. 12. Paul said this constrained him: 13. This is true if a man is IN CHRIST: He is a 14. This caused Paul to persuade men: 15. Paul was always this: Each Question is worth 7 Points My Score is: Answers will be found on next week s handout ANSWERS to 2 Corinthians 4 Questions 01 False (5); 02 True (2); 03 True (1); 04 False (7); 05 True (5); 06 15; 07 3; 08 11; 09 4; 10 8; 11 manifestation, truth (2); 12 shined (6); 13 the dying of the Lord Jesus (10); 14 believe, speak (13); 15 through the thanksgiving of many (15).
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 8 of 10 VII. Seek-A-Word Puzzle. The words may be backwards, diagonal, upside down, etc. See if you can find them all. The more you use the words of the Bible, the greater blessed you will be! You might be surprised at how much this little exercise will help you retain important truths. THANK YOU for the good effort you are putting forth in Bible study. DRL ABSENT AGAIN ALSO APPEAR BEING BODY CHRIST CLOTHED CONFIDENT DIED DONE EARNEST GIVEN GLORY GROAN HEAVEN HENCEFORTH HOUSE JUDGE KNOW LIVE LORD MADE MANIFEST PRESENT RECONCILED TABERNACLE THEN THEREFORE THING
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 9 of 10 VIII. Crossword Puzzle. 2 Corinthians 5 (KJV) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ACROSS 04) God was, in Christ, not imputing this 08) Paul spoke of a ministry of. 09) in the body, absent from the Lord. 10) We that are in this tabernacle do. 11) Not made with hands, in the heavens. 13) Now then we are for Christ. 14) one may receive the things done in his body. DOWN 01) Old things are away. 02) Paul trusted to be made manifest in theirs. 03) IN CHRIST means being a new. 05) Christ made it possible for us to be the of God. 06) We must all appear before the judgment. 07) Whether we be, it is for your cause. 12) Don t live unto yourselves, but unto Him that died and again.
A Study of 2 Corinthians 5......Page 10 of 10 IX. EXTRA CREDIT FOR SUPER Bible Students... Will you please consider answering these three SIMPLE questions based on the Bible text of this chapter? I will try to make use of your answers. Bring them with you next week. Tear out this last sheet from the Study Guide and be prepared to put it in a basket. I think it will be a great help to all of those in the class if you will do so. Thank you in advance for your marvelous cooperation!