2 Corinthians 5:9

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2 Corinthians 5:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it.

King James Version KJV

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

American Standard Version ASV

Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.

Bible in Basic English BBE

For this reason we make it our purpose, in the body or away from it, to be well-pleasing to him.

Free Bible Version FBV

That's why our goal, whether home here in our bodies or not, is to make sure we please him.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Wherefore also we couet, that both dwelling at home, and remouing from home, we may be acceptable to him.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Wherefore also we are ambitious, whether at home or away from home, to be well pleasing to him,

World English Bible WEB

Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted by him.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And therefore we labour, whether absent or present, to please him.

Translation for Translators T4T

Because of all that, we always want to please Jesus in everything that we do. Whether we (exc) are still living here in these bodies or whether we have left them and are living in our home in heaven, we want to please him.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Corinthians 5:9

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Word Study

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2 Corinthians 5:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK διο και φιλοτιμουμεθα ειτε ενδημουντες ειτε εκδημουντες ευαρεστοι αυτω ειναι

διο dio G1352 therefore Conj

και kai G2532 and Conj

φιλοτιμουμεθα philotimeomai G5389 to aspire Verb-PNI-1P

ειτε eite G1535 whether Conj

ενδημουντες endēmeō G1736 be home Verb-PAP-NPM

ειτε eite G1535 whether Conj

εκδημουντες ekdēmeō G1553 be away Verb-PAP-NPM

ευαρεστοι euarestos G2101 well-pleasing Adj-NPM

αυτω autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DSM

ειναι eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 2 Corinthians 5:9

διο dio G1352 "therefore" Conj

Therefore is a word that shows a consequence or a reason, like in Matthew 27:8 and Romans 1:24. It explains why something happens.

Definition: διό conjunct. for δι᾽ ὅ, wherefore, on which account: Mat.27:8, Luk.7:7, Act.15:19, Rom.1:24, al.; δ. καί, Luk.1:35, Act.10:29 24:26, Rom.4:22 15:22, 2Co.1:20 4:13 5:9, Php.2:9, Heb.11:12 13:12 (see Ellic. on Gal.4:31). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 50 NT verses. KJV: for which cause, therefore, wherefore See also: 1 Corinthians 12:3; Ephesians 4:8; 1 Peter 1:13.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

φιλοτιμουμεθα philotimeomai G5389 "to aspire" Verb-PNI-1P

To aspire or strive for something, often related to seeking honor or recognition, as seen in Romans 15:20 and 2 Corinthians 5:9. It involves being ambitious and eager to achieve a goal.

Definition: φιλοτιμέομαι, -οῦμαι (φίλος, τιμή), [in LXX: 4Ma.1:35 A ;] to love or seek after honour, hence, to be ambitious, emulous (Plat., Plut., al.): with inf., Rom.15:20, 2Co.5:9, 1Th.4:11.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: labour, strive, study See also: 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 15:20.

ειτε eite G1535 "whether" Conj

This word means 'whether' or 'if', used in conditions and questions, like in Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25. It helps us understand choices and possibilities in the Bible.

Definition: εἴτε, see: εἰ. εἰ, conjunctive particle, used in conditions and in indirect questions. __I. Conditional, if; __1. with indic, expressing a general assumption; __(a) pres.: before indic, pres., Mat.11:14, Rom.8:25, al.; before imperat., Mrk.4:23 9:22, Jhn.15:18, 1Co.7:9, al.; before fut. indic., Luk.16:31, Rom.8:11, al.; before pf. or aor., with negation in apodosis, Mat.12:26, Rom.4:14, al.; similarly, before impf., Luk.17:6, Jhn.8:39; before quæst., Mat.6:23, Jhn.5:47 7:23 8:46, 1Pe.2:20; __(b) fut.: Mat.26:33, 1Pe.2:20; __(with) pf.: Jhn.11:12, Rom.6:5, al.; __(d) aor.: Luk.16:11 19:8, Jhn.13:32, 18:23, Rev.20:15, al. __2. Where the assumption is certain = ἐπεί: Mat.12:28, Jhn.7:4, Rom.5:17, al. __3. Of an unfulfilled condition, with indic, impf., aor. or plpf., before ἄν, with imp. or aor. (see: ἄν, I, i). __4. C. indic., after verbs denoting wonder, etc., sometimes, but not always, coupled with an element of doubt: Mrk.15:44, 1Jn.3:13, al. __5. C. indic., as in LXX (Num.14:3o, 1Ki.14:45, al. = Heb. אִם), in oaths, with the formula of imprecation understood in a suppressed apodosis (WM, 627; Burton, §272): Mrk.8:12, Heb.3:11" (LXX) 4:3 (LXX). __6. Rarely (cl.) with optative, to express a merely possible condition: Act.24:19 27:39, 1Co.14:10 15:37, I Pe3:14, 17. __II. Interrogative, if, whether. __1. As in cl., in indir. questions after verbs of seeing, asking, knowing, saying, etc.: with indic. pres., Mat.26:63, Mrk.15:36, Act.19:2, 2Co.13:5, al.; fut., Mrk.3:2, Act.8:22, al.; aor., Mrk.15:44, 1Co.1:16, al.; with subjc. aor. (M, Pr., 194), Php.3:12. __2. As in LXX (= Heb. אִם and interrog. הֲ, Gen.17:17, al.; see WM, 639f.; Viteau, i, 22), in direct questions: Mrk.8:23 (Tr., WH, txt.), Luk.13:23, 22:49, Act.19:2, al. __III. With other particles. __1. εἰ ἄρα, εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μήγε, see: ἄρα, γε. __2. εἰ δὲ καί, but if also: Luk.11:18; but even if, 1Co.4:7, 2Co.4:3 11:16. __3. εἰ δὲ μή, but if not, but if otherwise: Mrk.2:21, 22 Jhn.14:2, Rev.2:5, al. __4. εἰ καί, if even, if also, although: Mrk.14:29, Luk.11:8, 1Co.7:21, 2Co.4:16, Php.2:17, al. __5. καὶ εἰ, even if, see: καί __6. εἰ μή, if not, unless, except, but only: Mat.24:22, Mrk.2:26 6:5, Jhn.9:33, 1Co.7:17 (only), Gal.1:19 (cf. ἐὰν μή, 2:16; see Hort., Ja., xvi); ἐκτὸς εἰ μή, pleonastic (Bl., §65, 6), 1Co.14:5 15:2, 1Ti.5:19. __7. εἰ μήν = cl. ἦ μήν (M, Pr., 46), in oaths, surely (Eze.33:27, al.): Heb.6:14. __8. εἴ πως, if haply: Act.27:12, Rom.1:10. __9. εἴτε . . . εἴτε, whether . . . or; Rom.12:6-8, 1Co.3:22 13:8, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 29 NT verses. KJV: if, or, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 3:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 2:13.

ενδημουντες endēmeō G1736 "be home" Verb-PAP-NPM

This word means to be at home or in a familiar place, like being in your own body as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:6. It's about feeling comfortable and at ease somewhere.

Definition: ἐνδημέω, -ῶ (ἔνδημος, living in a place), to live in a place, be at home: ἐν τ. σώματι, 2Co.5:6 5:9; πρὸς τ. Kύριον, 2Co.5:8.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: be at home (present) See also: 2 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:9.

ειτε eite G1535 "whether" Conj

This word means 'whether' or 'if', used in conditions and questions, like in Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25. It helps us understand choices and possibilities in the Bible.

Usage: Occurs in 29 NT verses. KJV: if, or, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 3:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 2:13.

εκδημουντες ekdēmeō G1553 "be away" Verb-PAP-NPM

To be away from home, as in 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 where Paul talks about being absent from the body.

Definition: ἐκ-δημέω, -ῶ (ἔκδημος, from home; cf. -ία, 3Ma.4:11)*; to be from home, absent: 2Co.5:6; before ἀπό, 2Co.5:8; before ἐκ, 2Co.5:9 (cf. ἀπο-, ἐνδημέω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: be absent See also: 2 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:9.

ευαρεστοι euarestos G2101 "well-pleasing" Adj-NPM

Well-pleasing means being fully agreeable to someone, like being acceptable to God in Romans 12:2. It's about living a life that God approves of.

Definition: εὐ-άρεστος, -ον [in LXX: Wis.4:10 9:10 * ;] well-pleasing, acceptable: Rom.12:2; with dative of person(s), Rom.12:1 14:16, 2Co.5:9, Eph.5:10, Php.4:18; id. before ἐν, Tit.2:9 (κυρίῳ), Col.3:20; ἐνώπιον, Heb.13:21 (for ex. in Inser., see Deiss., BS, 215).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: acceptable(-ted), wellpleasing See also: 2 Corinthians 5:9; Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 13:21.

αυτω autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

ειναι eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAN

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

Study Notes — 2 Corinthians 5:9

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Context — Our Eternal Dwelling

7For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

9So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.

10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. 11Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Colossians 1:10	so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
2	2 Peter 3:14	Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
3	Romans 14:18	For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
4	1 Timothy 4:10	To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
5	1 Thessalonians 4:11	and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
6	Genesis 4:7	If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”
7	Romans 14:8	If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
8	Isaiah 56:7	I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”
9	1 Thessalonians 4:1	Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
10	1 Corinthians 9:26–27	Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

2 Corinthians 5:9 Summary

This verse means that our main goal in life should be to make God happy, whether we are alive on earth or have gone to be with Him in heaven. We can do this by living according to His Word and following the Holy Spirit's leading, as mentioned in Romans 8:14. It's like trying to please a loving parent, but instead, it's our heavenly Father we are trying to please (see Matthew 6:9-10). By living to please Him, we can have confidence and peace, knowing that we are living the life He intended for us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'please Him' in this verse?

To please Him means to live in a way that is obedient to God's will and brings joy to His heart, as seen in verses like John 8:29 and Ephesians 5:10, where we are called to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.

How can we be sure we are pleasing God while still on earth?

We can be sure by living according to His Word, as stated in Psalm 119:105, and by following the leading of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Romans 8:14, who guides us into all truth and helps us to live a life that honors God.

Is it possible to please God even when we are not physically present with Him?

Yes, as this verse suggests, we can please God whether we are in our earthly bodies or not, because our spirits can still be connected to Him, as seen in Philippians 1:23, where Paul expresses his desire to depart and be with Christ.

What role does faith play in pleasing God?

Faith is essential in pleasing God, as stated in Hebrews 11:6, where it says that without faith it is impossible to please Him, and as seen in this chapter, in 2 Corinthians 5:7, where we walk by faith, not by sight.

Reflection Questions

What are some practical ways I can show my desire to please God in my daily life?
How can I balance my desire to be with the Lord with my responsibilities and callings here on earth?
In what ways can I use my gifts and talents to bring joy and pleasure to God's heart?
What does it mean for me to 'aspire to please Him' in the midst of challenges and difficulties, and how can I stay focused on this goal?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent,.... This may be understood either of the ministers of the Gospel in particular, who labour in the word and doctrine, are ambitious, as the word

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. Wherefore - With such a 'confidence' of being blessed, whether we die, or live until Christ's coming.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:9

Having such a hope, yea, not such a hope only, but such an assurance and confidence, we labour, both actively, doing the will of God, and passively, submitting to the will of God in all afflictive providences; that while we are in the body, and absent from the Lord, we may be accepted of him; as we know we shall be, when we shall be present with him, in another sense than we now are.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:9

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. Ver. 9. Wherefore we labour] Our hope of heaven maketh us active and abundant in God’ s service. The doctrine of assurance is not a doctrine of liberty, but the contrary, 1 John 3:3. We make it our ambition, φιλοτιμουμεθα, saith the apostle here, to get acceptance in heaven, waiting till our Father shall call us home, and passing the time of our sojourning here in fear, 1 Peter 1:17. The saints have their commoration upon earth, ενδημουντες, their conversation in heaven.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:9

(9) Wherefore we labour.—Better, we strive earnestly after. The English “labour” is quite inadequate, the Greek expressing the thought of striving, as after some honour or prize. Our ambition is that . . . we may be accepted would be, perhaps, the best equivalent. For “accepted of him” read acceptable, or better, well-pleasing to him: the Greek word implying the quality on which acceptance depends, rather than the act itself.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:9

Verse 9. Wherefore we labour] φιλοτιμουμεθα. from φιλος, loving, and τιμη, honour; we act at all times on the principles of honour; we are, in the proper sense of the word, ambitious to do and say every thing consistently with our high vocation: and, as we claim kindred to the inhabitants of heaven, to act as they do. We may be accepted of him.] ευαρεστοιαυτωειναι To be pleasing to him. Through the love we have to God, we study and labour to please him. This is and will be our heaven, to study to love, please, and serve him from whom we have received both our being and its blessings.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 5:9

9. we labour] The word implies “una ambitio legitima” Bengel; a strife in which one’s honour is concerned. See Romans 15:20, where the word is translated strive.whether present or absent] whether at home or from home, Tyndale. The meaning is either (1) whether at home in the body, or absent from it, as in 2 Corinthians 5:6, or (2) at home with God or absent from Him, as in 2 Corinthians 5:8. The latter is preferable, as being in more immediate connection with what precedes. Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:10.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore - (Διὸ Dio). In view of the facts stated above. Since we have the prospect of a resurrection and of future glory; since we have the assurance that there is a house not made with hands,

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:9

9. Wherefore—In the view of our cheering hope of a future blessedness with and from Christ. We labour—Rather, we are emulous, ambitious. Present—As we hope soon to be. Absent—As we know not how long we shall be.

Sermons on 2 Corinthians 5:9

	Sermon	Description
	7 Corrective Lenses for Spiritual Eyesight by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of having spiritual vision. He uses the analogy of getting corrective lenses for our physical eyes to illustrate how we need co
	They That Love the Lord Shall Be as the Sun by Hans R. Waldvogel	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the simplicity and power of the Apostle Paul's teachings. He highlights Paul's focus on dying to oneself and being united with Jesus Christ.
	Prophecy - Part 2 by John Walvoord	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the beauty and perfection of the heavenly city that awaits Christians. He describes it as a place where light shines through and is adorned
	Christian Assurance: Its Author and Behaviour by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of living a life that pleases God, as there will be a judgment day when we will have to answer for our actions. The preacher e
	Exposing Your Soul to the Holy Spirit by Major Ian Thomas	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the threefold nature of the soul in both humans and animals. The will, which is influenced by the mind and emotions, governs behavior. The pr
	Motivation of Spiritual Ministry by Stephen Kaung	The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of serving God's will from the heart and with good will. It highlights the idea that our service will be judged at the judgment seat
	True Apostolicity - Part 2 by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of feeling exhausted and frustrated while teaching in a diverse school setting. He describes the challenge of trying to e