2 Corinthians 5

Our Heavenly Dwelling

1 For we know that if a our earthly 1 house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house b not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this c we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our 2 habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, d having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, e but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also f has given us the Spirit as 3 a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For g we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, h well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 i For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, j that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Knowing, therefore, k the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 12 For l we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity m to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For n if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that o if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, p that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

16 q Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, r yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone s is in Christ, he is t a new creation; u old things have passed away; behold, all things have become v new. 18 Now all things are of God, w who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that x God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not 4 imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are y ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For z He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become a the righteousness of God in Him.

  1. Cross References
    Job 4:19
    How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before a moth?
    1 Corinthians 15:47
    The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.
    2 Corinthians 4:7
    But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
  2. Cross References
    Mark 14:58
    "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.'"
    Acts 7:48
    However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
    Hebrews 9:11
    But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
    Hebrews 9:24
    For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 8:23
    Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
    2 Corinthians 5:4
    For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
  4. Cross References
    Revelation 3:18
    I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:53
    For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 8:23
    Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
    2 Corinthians 1:22
    Who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
    Ephesians 1:14
    Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 8:24
    For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
    Hebrews 11:1
    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
  8. Cross References
    Philippians 1:23
    For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 16:27
    For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
    Acts 10:42
    And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
    Romans 2:16
    In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
    Romans 14:10
    But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
    Romans 14:12
    So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
  10. Cross References
    Galatians 6:7
    Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
    Ephesians 6:8
    Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
  11. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:31
    It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
    Hebrews 12:29
    For our God is a consuming fire.
  12. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:1
    Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
  13. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:14
    (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
    Philippians 1:26
    That your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
  14. Cross References
    Mark 3:21
    But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind.
    2 Corinthians 11:1
    Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly - and indeed you do bear with me.
    2 Corinthians 11:16
    I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.
    2 Corinthians 12:11
    I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
  15. Cross References
    Romans 5:15
    But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
    Romans 6:6
    Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
    Galatians 2:20
    I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
    Colossians 3:3
    For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 6:11
    Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  17. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:3
    For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
  18. Cross References
    Matthew 12:50
    "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
  19. Cross References
    John 6:63
    It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
  20. Cross References
    Romans 8:9
    But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
  21. Cross References
    Isaiah 43:18
    Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
    Isaiah 65:17
    For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
    Ephesians 4:24
    And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
    Revelation 21:4
    "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
  22. Cross References
    Romans 6:3 - 10
    Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
    Colossians 3:3
    For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
  23. Cross References
    Romans 5:10
    For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
    Ephesians 2:16
    And that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
    Colossians 1:20
    And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
  24. Cross References
    Romans 3:24
    Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
  25. Cross References
    Malachi 2:7
    For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
    Ephesians 6:20
    For which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
  26. Cross References
    Isaiah 53:6
    All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
    Isaiah 53:9
    And they made His grave with the wicked - But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
  27. Cross References
    Romans 1:17
    For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith.
    Romans 3:21
    But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.
    1 Corinthians 1:30
    But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption -
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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