1 For we know that if our earthly house of the tent (see 1 Cor. 4:11) were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan (see Rom. 8:23), earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed (cp. 1 Cor. 15:53,54. Job 10:11) we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we desire to be unclothed, but clothed upon, in order that the mortal [thing] (see Rom. 6:12) might be swallowed up (see 1 Cor. 15:54) by the life.
5 Now He That has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, Who has given to us the earnest (see 1:22) of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and well pleased rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we are ambitious also (see Rom. 15:20), that, whether present or absent, we may well pleasing of Him.
10 For we must all be manifested in the presence of the judgment seat of the Christ; that each one may receive the things done by means of his body, with reference to that he has practiced, whether it be good or bad. (To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. See Ecc. 12:7)
11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord (see Act 19:31), we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I hope are made manifest also in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion of boasting (Rom. 4:2) on behalf of us, that you may have somewhat against them which boast in appearance, and not in heart.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be of sound mind, it is for you.
14 For the love (see Rom. 8:35) of Christ constrain us; judging this, that if One died for all, then all died:
15 And that He died for all, that the living should no longer live unto themselves, but to Him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore from now know we no one after the flesh: even if we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now know we Him no longer.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: the ancient things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, (Cp. Acts 17:25. Rom. 11:36. 1 Cor. 8:6)
E R¹ 5:-18,19. Ministry. R¹ 5:20-6:2. Ministers.
R¹ a -18- Reconciliation.
b -18. Commission.
a 19-. Reconciliation.
b -19. Commission.
Who reconciled (see Rom. 5:10) us to Himself by Christ,
and gave to us the ministry of the reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them;
and placed us the word of reconciliation.
R² c 5:20-. Ambassadors.
d 5:-20. Entreaty.
e 5:21. Enforcement.
c 6:1-. Fellow-laborers.
d 6:-1. Entreaty.
e 6:2. Enforcement.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ (see Eph. 6:20), as though God is beseeching you by us:
we pray you on behalf of Christ, be you reconciled to God.
21 Him Who knew not sin, for us He made sin (put for sin-offering. See Gen. 4:7. Exod. 29:14; 30:10. Lev. 4:3; 6:25. Num. 8:8. Ps. 40:6,7;&c.); that we might become righteousness of God in Him.