2 Corinthians 5:6
Verse
Context
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
We are always confident - Θαρῥουντες ουν παντοτε· We are always full of courage; we never despond; we know where our help lies; and, having the earnest of the Spirit, we have the full assurance of hope. Whilst we are at home in the body, etc. - The original words in this sentence are very emphatic: ενδημειν signifies to dwell among one's own people; εκδημειν, to be a sojourner among a strange people. Heaven is the home of every genuine Christian, and is claimed by them as such; see Phi 1:23. Yet, while here below, the body is the proper home of the soul; but as the soul is made for eternal glory, that glory is its country; and therefore it is considered as being from its proper home while below in the body. As all human souls are made for this glory, therefore all are considered, while here, to be absent from their own country. And it is not merely heaven that they have in view, but the Lord; without whom, to an immortal spirit possessed of infinite desires, heaven would neither be a home nor a place of rest. We see plainly that the apostle gives no intimation of an intermediate state between being at home in the body and being present with the Lord. There is not the slightest intimation here that the soul sleeps, or rather, that there is no soul; and, when the body is decomposed, that there is no more of the man till the resurrection: I mean, according to the sentiments of those who do condescend to allow us a resurrection, though they deny us a soul. But this is a philosophy in which St. Paul got no lessons, either from Gamaliel, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, or in the third heaven, where he heard even unutterable things.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Translate as Greek, "Being therefore always confident and knowing," &c. He had intended to have made the verb to this nominative, "we are willing" (rather, "well content"), but digressing on the word "confident" (Co2 5:6-7), he resumes the word in a different form, namely, as an assertion: "We are confident and well content." "Being confident . . . we are confident" may be the Hebraic idiom of emphasis; as Act 7:34, Greek, "Having seen, I have seen," that is, I have surely seen. always--under all trials. BENGEL makes the contrast between "always confident" and "confident" especially at the prospect of being "absent from the body." We are confident as well at all times, as also most of all in the hope of a blessed departure. whilst . . . at home . . . absent--Translate as Greek, "While we sojourn in our home in the body, we are away from our home in the Lord." The image from a "house" is retained (compare Phi 3:20; Heb 11:13-16; Heb 13:14).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Therefore we are always confident,.... Because God has formed us for immortality and glory, and given us his Spirit as the earnest of it, we take heart, are of good courage, do not sink under our burdens, or despair of happiness, but are fully assured of enjoying what we are desirous of: knowing that whilst we are at home in the body; or whilst we are inmates or sojourners in the body; for the body is not properly the saints' home; whilst they are in it, they are but pilgrims and strangers; the time of their abode in it is the time of their sojourning: during which time they are absent from the Lord; not with respect to his general presence, which is everywhere, and attends all creatures, an absence from which is impossible; nor with respect to his spiritual presence, which though not always sensibly enjoyed, yet frequently; nor are the children of God ever deprived of it totally and finally; but with respect to his glorious presence, and the full enjoyment of that. Now the knowledge and consideration of this, that the present state and situation of the saints, whilst in the body, is a state of pilgrimage, and so of absence from the Lord Christ, and from their Father's house, serves to increase their confidence and assurance, that they shall not long continue so, but in a little time shall be at home, and for ever with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:6
Our Eternal Dwelling
5And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.6Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord.7For we walk by faith, not by sight.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Purge Out the Old Leaven
By Erlo Stegen1.3K1:14:37Dealing With SinGEN 1:5MAT 6:33MAT 28:19LUK 19:40ROM 6:41CO 5:72CO 5:6In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of sharing the message of Jesus with others, drawing inspiration from the example of Dale Moody. The preacher also highlights the significance of the resurrection of Jesus and its power to overcome sin and death. The sermon references Hosea's prophecy and describes Jesus as a hero who conquered death and hell. The preacher calls on the listeners to repent and turn away from sin, and concludes with a prayer for God's grace and the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Crowns
By H.J. Vine0JHN 16:13JHN 18:372CO 5:6PHP 4:11TH 2:192TI 4:81PE 5:4REV 2:10REV 19:12H.J. Vine preaches about the various crowns mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing different aspects of faith and rewards in Christ. The Holy Spirit guides believers towards heavenly wisdom, encouraging them to press forward towards the incorruptible crowns that await them in the presence of the glorified Lord. The significance of Christ's crown of thorns is highlighted, emphasizing the inseparable connection between His sufferings and our redemption. The sermon delves into the hereditary and won crowns, illustrating how believers share in Christ's glory and are promised crowns of life, glory, righteousness, and rejoicing.
The Witness of the Spirit
By J.W. McGarvey0NEH 9:30PSA 22:1PSA 23:1ROM 6:18ROM 8:162CO 5:6EPH 1:71TH 1:4HEB 10:151JN 3:2J.W. McGarvey preaches about the assurance of being children of God, emphasizing the importance of knowing our status as God's children for both our eternal happiness and joy in this life. He contrasts the uncertainty and doubt experienced by many believers today with the unwavering confidence of the apostles like Paul, who knew without a doubt their relationship with God. McGarvey urges believers to turn to the Bible to find a solid foundation for their faith, highlighting the need to align their character with the standards set by the Holy Spirit's testimony to confidently claim their identity as children of God.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
We are always confident - Θαρῥουντες ουν παντοτε· We are always full of courage; we never despond; we know where our help lies; and, having the earnest of the Spirit, we have the full assurance of hope. Whilst we are at home in the body, etc. - The original words in this sentence are very emphatic: ενδημειν signifies to dwell among one's own people; εκδημειν, to be a sojourner among a strange people. Heaven is the home of every genuine Christian, and is claimed by them as such; see Phi 1:23. Yet, while here below, the body is the proper home of the soul; but as the soul is made for eternal glory, that glory is its country; and therefore it is considered as being from its proper home while below in the body. As all human souls are made for this glory, therefore all are considered, while here, to be absent from their own country. And it is not merely heaven that they have in view, but the Lord; without whom, to an immortal spirit possessed of infinite desires, heaven would neither be a home nor a place of rest. We see plainly that the apostle gives no intimation of an intermediate state between being at home in the body and being present with the Lord. There is not the slightest intimation here that the soul sleeps, or rather, that there is no soul; and, when the body is decomposed, that there is no more of the man till the resurrection: I mean, according to the sentiments of those who do condescend to allow us a resurrection, though they deny us a soul. But this is a philosophy in which St. Paul got no lessons, either from Gamaliel, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, or in the third heaven, where he heard even unutterable things.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Translate as Greek, "Being therefore always confident and knowing," &c. He had intended to have made the verb to this nominative, "we are willing" (rather, "well content"), but digressing on the word "confident" (Co2 5:6-7), he resumes the word in a different form, namely, as an assertion: "We are confident and well content." "Being confident . . . we are confident" may be the Hebraic idiom of emphasis; as Act 7:34, Greek, "Having seen, I have seen," that is, I have surely seen. always--under all trials. BENGEL makes the contrast between "always confident" and "confident" especially at the prospect of being "absent from the body." We are confident as well at all times, as also most of all in the hope of a blessed departure. whilst . . . at home . . . absent--Translate as Greek, "While we sojourn in our home in the body, we are away from our home in the Lord." The image from a "house" is retained (compare Phi 3:20; Heb 11:13-16; Heb 13:14).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Therefore we are always confident,.... Because God has formed us for immortality and glory, and given us his Spirit as the earnest of it, we take heart, are of good courage, do not sink under our burdens, or despair of happiness, but are fully assured of enjoying what we are desirous of: knowing that whilst we are at home in the body; or whilst we are inmates or sojourners in the body; for the body is not properly the saints' home; whilst they are in it, they are but pilgrims and strangers; the time of their abode in it is the time of their sojourning: during which time they are absent from the Lord; not with respect to his general presence, which is everywhere, and attends all creatures, an absence from which is impossible; nor with respect to his spiritual presence, which though not always sensibly enjoyed, yet frequently; nor are the children of God ever deprived of it totally and finally; but with respect to his glorious presence, and the full enjoyment of that. Now the knowledge and consideration of this, that the present state and situation of the saints, whilst in the body, is a state of pilgrimage, and so of absence from the Lord Christ, and from their Father's house, serves to increase their confidence and assurance, that they shall not long continue so, but in a little time shall be at home, and for ever with the Lord.