2 Corinthians 5

Our Heavenly Dwelling

1 For we know that if k the tent that is l our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, m a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent n we groan, longing to o put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on 1 we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened - not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal p may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, q who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that r while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for s we walk by faith, not t by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we u would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to v please him. 10 For w we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, x so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, knowing y the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But z what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 a We are not commending ourselves to you again but b giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we c are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ d controls us, because we have concluded this: that e one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, f that those who live might no longer live for themselves but g for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, h we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is i in Christ, he is j a new creation. 2 k The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, l who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us m the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling 3 the world to himself, n not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us m the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, o we are ambassadors for Christ, p God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 q For our sake he made him to be sin r who knew no sin, so that in him we might become s the righteousness of God.

  1. Cross References
    2 Peter 1:13 - 14
    I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder.
  2. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:7
    But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
  3. Cross References
    Mark 14:58
    "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.'"
  4. Cross References
    Romans 8:23
    And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:53 - 54
    For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:54
    When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 8:23
    And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
    2 Corinthians 1:22
    And who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
  8. Cross References
    Hebrews 11:13 - 14
    These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
  9. Cross References
    John 20:29
    Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
    2 Corinthians 4:18
    As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
  10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 13:12
    For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
  11. Cross References
    Philippians 1:23
    I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
  12. Cross References
    Colossians 1:10
    So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
    1 Thessalonians 4:1
    Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 25:31 - 32
    When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
    Romans 14:10
    Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
    Acts 10:42
    And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
  14. Cross References
    Psalms 62:12
    And that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
  15. Cross References
    Job 31:23
    For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty.
    Acts 9:31
    So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
    Hebrews 10:31
    It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
    Jude 1:23
    Save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
  16. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:2
    But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
  17. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:1
    Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?
  18. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:14
    Just as you did partially acknowledge us - that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
  19. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:1
    I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!
    2 Corinthians 11:16 - 17
    I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
    2 Corinthians 12:6
    Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.
    2 Corinthians 12:11
    I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 18:5
    When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
  21. Cross References
    Romans 5:15
    But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
  22. Cross References
    Romans 6:11 - 12
    So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
    Romans 14:7
    For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
  23. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 12:10
    For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
  24. Cross References
    Galatians 2:6
    And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) - those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
    Philippians 3:7 - 8
    But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
    Colossians 2:11
    In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.
    1 Timothy 5:21
    In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
  25. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 12:2
    I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
    Romans 16:7
    Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
    Galatians 1:22
    And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
  26. Cross References
    John 3:3
    Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
    Romans 6:4
    We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
  27. Cross References
    Isaiah 43:18 - 19
    Remember not the former things, nor consider th...
    Revelation 21:5
    And he who was seated on the throne said, "Beho...
    Isaiah 65:17
    For behold, I create new heavens and a new eart...
    Ephesians 2:15
    By abolishing the law of commandments expressed...
    Ephesians 4:24
    And to put on the new self, created after the l...
    Hebrews 8:13
    In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the fir...
  28. Cross References
    Colossians 1:20
    And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
    Romans 5:10
    For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
    1 John 2:2
    He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
  29. Cross References
    Romans 5:11
    More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
  30. Cross References
    Psalms 32:2
    Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
    Romans 4:8
    Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.
  31. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:18
    All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
  32. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:20
    For which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
    Malachi 2:7
    For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
    Galatians 4:14
    And though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
  33. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:1
    Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
  34. Cross References
    Romans 8:3
    For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.
    Galatians 3:13
    Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree" -
    Romans 4:25
    Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
  35. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:22
    He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
  36. Cross References
    Romans 1:17
    For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.
    1 Corinthians 1:30
    And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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