1Paul declareth that in assured hope of a blessed immortality hereafter he was indifferent to life, and laboured only to approve himself to Christ: 10that knowing the general judgment that would follow, and the terrors of it, he was solicitous to persuade men: 12that this was said not by way of boasting, but purely to furnish the Corinthians with a reply in his justification against false pretenders: 14that moved by the love of Christ, he was become dead to all former regards; 17and all things being now made new by God in Christ reconciling the world to himself, 20he, as ambassador for Christ, besought men to embrace the offered reconciliation.
1FOR we know that if 1our earthlya house of this tabernacle were 2dissolved, we have 3a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
1 That is, our weak and mortal body, which we carry on this earth, is made of earth, and is compared to a tabernacle or tent, which one sets up easily in one’s journey, and at one’s departure break down again or let it fall into decay. See the same in Job 4:19; 2 Peter 1:13, 14.
a 2 Cor. 4:7.
2 Gr. loosened, be broken.
3 Some take this for the heavenly glory, wherewith our bodies shall first be glorified at the last day. But, seeing the apostle here remarkably speaks of a building or house, which we shall have of God, after that this tabernacle is broken, and that in heaven, and as soon as we go to be absent from this body, as appears from the verses 6, 8, it is altogether suitably taken for the heavenly glory in general, wherewith the soul is adorned, and as it were clothed as soon as it lays down this tabernacle, and wherewith the body shall be clothed afterward when it shall be raised from the dead. See of the first, Heb. 11:14, 16; Rev. 7:14, and of the other, 1 Cor. 15:42, 43; Philip. 3:20, 21.
2Forb in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
b Rom. 8:23.
3Ifc so be that 4being clothed we shall not be found naked.
c Rev. 3:18; 16:15.
4 Namely, with the true wedding garment, that is, they, who shall be found with the righteousness and holiness of Christ in this moving-day. For, others, who are destitute thereof are not to expect this glory. Others translate this: thus, or, forasmuch also as we shall be clothed, etc., and take it for an exposition of that which precedes.
4For we 5that are in this tabernacle do groan, 6being burdened: 7not for that we would be unclothed, 8but clothed upon, thatd9mortality might be swallowed up 10of life.
5 That is, who yet live in this earthly and mortal body.
6 Namely, by the load of sin and of afflictions.
7 That is, be wholly deprived of our body which we now bear, to want the same eternally. Or, in which, namely, tabernacle being, we would not be, etc.
8 Namely, with heavenly glory, according to the soul presently after death, and according to the body when it shall be restored unto us at the last day. Some think that Paul does here wish that he might live in this body until Christ shall come to change our bodies without having need to put them off, which mystery is spoken of, 1 Cor. 15:51, and 1 Thes. 4:17. But this is not likely, since he says in verse 8 that he had rather be absent from the body, namely, for a time, and to be present with the Lord.
d Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:53.
9 That is, the mortality wherewith our body is now burdened, and remains burdened within the grave.
10 That is, may totally be taken away by the blessed immortality, namely, when Christ shall raise up the same again, and make it conformable to His glorified body, Philip. 3:21.
5Now he that hath wrought us 11for the selfsame thing is God, whoe also hath given unto us 12the earnestf of the Spirit.
11 That is, for this glory in our soul, and this immortality in our body. Gr. prepared or adorned.
e Rom. 8:16; 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30.
12 Namely, the Holy Spirit for a pledge to assure us hereof. See Rom. 8:16; 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 4:30.
f pledge, security, deposit
6Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent 13from the Lord:
13 Namely, Jesus Christ, Whose view of His body and presence we must be deprived so long, as appears in verse 8, and is explained in Philip. 1:23.
7(Forg we walk 14by faith, 15not by sight:)
g 1 Cor. 13:12; 2 Cor. 3:18.
14 Namely, which properly receives and applies to itself the things which are not seen, Heb. 11:1.
15 Namely, of the things for which we hope. See Rom. 8:24, and 1 Cor. 13:12. Although there is otherwise also a beholding of faith, John 6:40; 8:56.
8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9Wherefore we 16labour, that, whether 17present or 18absent, we may be accepted of him.
16 Gr. strife, endeavor. See also Rom. 15:20.
17 Namely, with Him in heaven, as verse 8. See Rev. 7:17; 14:4. Or, in the body, as verse 6.
18 Namely, from Christ outside of heaven, while we yet bear this mortal body, or, out of the body, as verse 8.
10Forh we must all 19appear before the judgment seat of Christ; thati every one may 20receive the things done 21in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be 22good or 23bad.
h Mat. 25:32; Rom. 14:10.
19 Namely, not only in respect of our persons, but also of our thoughts, words and deeds, Rom. 2:16; Rev. 2:23; 20:12.
i Psalm 62:13; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Mat. 16:27; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; Gal. 6:5; Rev. 2:23; 22:12.
20 Namely, for a recompense.
21 Namely, here in this life, or, while we bear this body.
22 That is, the reward of good, by grace.
23 That is, the reward of evil, by desert. See of both Mat. 25:34, 41; Rom. 6:23.
11Knowing therefore 24the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
24 That is, this terrible and fearful judgment of the Lord, whereby we must be careful to walk always uprightly before Him.
12Forj we 25commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion 26to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them 27which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
j 2 Cor. 3:1; 10:8.
25 That is, praise.
26 Namely, that we are faithful apostles of Christ, and that our doctrine is a doctrine which converts the hearts.
27 That is, only in pretentious and embellished phrases and such like, which have indeed an outward show before men, but touch not the heart.
13For whether we be 28beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be 29sober, it is for your cause.
28 The apostle speaks as such when he must praise himself and his ministry, because it seems to be the work of distracted and foolish persons to boast of oneself, and declares that he does this, not to give himself this honor, but to preserve God’s honor unto Him.
29 So the apostle speaks when, without being necessitated to speak of himself, he simply executes his ministry among them, which he declares to tend also to their good. See 2 Cor. 11:1, 16, 17, etc., as also throughout in the twelfth chapter.
14For 30the love of Christ 31constraineth us; 32because we thus judge, that if 33one 34died 35for all, then were 36all dead:
30 This may be understood either of the love wherewith Christ loves us, or of the love wherewith we love Him, because He gave Himself for us, which the following verse seems to entail, although our love also flows from His love towards us.
31 That is, totally possesses us, and moves us to do the same. See also Acts 18:5.
32 That is, hold it for certain.
33 Namely, Christ.
34 Namely, to do away their sins.
35 Namely, who believe in Him, John 3:16; Acts 10:43; Rom. 3:22; 10:4; Heb. 5:9; 10:14.
36 Namely, with Him, not only to obtain forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God by His death, but also to die to sin, as Rom. 6:6; Heb. 9:26, 27, 28.
15And that he died for all, thatk they which live should not henceforth 37live unto themselves, but 38unto him which died for them, and rose again.
k Rom. 14:7; Gal. 2:20; 1 Thes. 5:10; 1 Peter 4:2.
37 That is, for their own ease, profit and honor.
38 That is, for the service and honor of Him.
16Whereforel henceforth know we no man 39after the flesh: yea, 40though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him 41no more.
l Mat. 12:50; John 15:14; Gal. 5:6; 6:15; Col. 3:11.
39 That is, according to outward respect, kindred, condition, honor, wisdom or eloquence; but (he would say) only after the spirit, that is, according to the spiritual power which is in him, and is wrought by him.
40 As Paul testifies that he also saw Christ, 1 Cor. 9:1.
41 Namely, to boast thereof, or to seek our esteem thereby, as some do.
17Therefore if any man be 42in Christ, he is 43a new creature: oldm things are passed away; behold, 44all things are become new.
42 Namely, truly know Christ, and be united unto Him.
43 That is, regenerated by the power and Spirit of Christ, without regarding anymore those fleshly things, or seeking his happiness therein, Gal. 6:15.
m Isa. 43:18; Rev. 21:5.
44 Namely, in the Kingdom of Christ, and here the apostle has respect to the promises of God, Isa. 65:17; 66:22, where this renewing of all things, which only avails before God, is promised under the Kingdom of Christ; whereof a part is now fulfilled in true believers, who are renewed by the Spirit of God, and what remains shall be fulfilled in the life to come after the resurrection. See 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:5.
18And 45all things are of God, whon hath 46reconciled 47us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
45 Namely, which concern this new creation.
n Col. 1:20; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.
46 Namely, when we were yet His enemies, as Paul speaks in Rom. 5:8, etc.
47 Namely, who believe in Christ.
19To wit, thato48God was in Christ, reconciling 49the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed 50unto us the word of reconciliation.
o Rom. 3:24, 25; Col. 1:20.
48 Or, how that God, etc.
49 That is, the elect and believers throughout the whole world, as John 6:33, 51.
50 That is, entrusted unto us to proclaim the same in His name.
20Now then we are ambassadorsp for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, q51be ye reconciled to God.
p 2 Cor. 3:6.
q place*
51 Namely, through faith in Christ and His blood, Rom. 3:25.
21For he hathr made him to be 52sin for us, whos53knew no sin; that we might be made 54the righteousness of God in 55him.
r Isa. 53:12; Rom. 8:3; Gal. 3:13.
52 That is, a sacrifice for sin, as Lev. 7:2. Or, sin, by imputing of our sins, as He is also said to have been made a curse, Gal. 3:13.
s Isa. 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5.
53 That is, Who was free from all sin, 1 Peter 2:22.
54 That is, righteousness before God. Or, that the righteousness of God might be imputed to us, Rom. 4:4, 5, etc.
55 Namely, Christ, in respect that we are in Him, and His righteousness is imputed unto us, Rom. 8:1, etc.