2 Corinthians, Chapter 5

 

2 Corinthians 5 What does Paul compare our earthly bodies with and what will eventually happen to it? vs. 1 Paul compares our earthly bodies to a tent which will eventually be torn down; destroyed. What does God have waiting for us that is eternal in heaven? vs. 1 We have a building from God. How does this compare to what Jesus told His disciples in John 14:1-3? Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many dwelling places ... I go to prepare a place for you." What are we doing while we are in our earthy dwelling? vs. 2 We groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. How does this compare with what Paul told us in Romans 8:18-25? The anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God ... that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption ... the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together ... even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body ... with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. When we put on the heavenly body (building) from God, we will not be found naked. (5:3) .. How does 2 Corinthians 5:4 help to explain this to us? We do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.  Not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed [ESV] We do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling [TNIV] Who prepared us for this eternal state and therefore understands the limitations of our earthly one? vs. 5 He who prepared us for this very purpose is God. What is the pledge (down payment of promise) He has given us that this will be a reality? vs. 5 He gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. He has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. [TNIV] 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. [MSG] As a believer, which do we prefer - this life or the one to come? vs. 8 I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. We can have good courage while we wait our home in heaven in this life. How are we to walk? vs. 7 We walk by faith, not by sight. What should always be our ambition in whatever state we are in? vs. 9 To be pleasing to GOD. There is a reason to live in such a way for our Lord. Where will each one of us eventually appear? vs. 10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. This is not a seat of judgment on sin for Jesus already paid for that on our behalf. It will be one of recompense (or reward). How will the rewards be decided upon? vs. 10 According to what he has done, whether good or bad. In light of this, and knowing the fear of the Lord, what are we to do? vs. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. Paul said if they are "beside themselves", it was for God, but if they were of "sound mind", it was for the believers they cared so much for. What was the controlling factor in their lives? vs. 14 The love of Christ. Jesus died for all of us. What are we to do for Him in return? vs. 15 They who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Paul said that he no longer recognized others in their "flesh' but in their 'new being'. What happens to everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ? vs. 17 He is a new creature. What leaves the believer and what replaces it? vs. 17 The old things passed away; behold, new things have come. God reconciled us to Himself through Christ. What ministry did He give to Paul and other believers? vs. 18 The ministry of reconciliation. What is the message of this ministry we are to share with others? vs. 19 That God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 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. [MSG] Paul said we are ambassadors for Christ. He actually begged others on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. Do you have this same passion for being an ambassador (representative) on God's behalf? What is the message that we need to understand for ourselves and share with others as we explain reconciliation between God and man? vs. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.