2 Corinthians 5:1-7, Our Heavenly Dwelling

1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Comments:

The beginning of chapter 5 shows Paul’s overall orientation: home is being with the Lord, who at this point is in heaven. Therefore, he calls our bodies “tents” because they are temporary dwelling places. He seems to believe that our resurrection bodies already exist, waiting for us in heaven. Because our earthly bodies are temporary, we live unsatisfied in this life, feeling as though there must be more concrete for us. We have on our underwear of flesh, knowing there is majestic eternal clothing yet to put on.

In these verses of chapter 5, Paul speaks of three states: the present condition in the tent-like frame, the intermediate state of nakedness, which he does not find desirable, and the future condition in which a further frame will have been put on. His point is that he longs to bypass the “naked” condition and be swallowed up by real life in his resurrection body. And if anyone doubts these stages of our sanctification that moves to glorification, then look to the Spirit who guarantees it. Throughout the New Testament writings, the Spirit brings us to faith and holds us in our faith, connecting us to Jesus.

When Paul writes about walking by faith and not by sight, he does not mean we are to believe the unbelievable. Rather, he encourages us to be confident in the promises of God. Jesus told his disciples that he was going away to prepare a place for them and that he would return. Even though we cannot see the fulness of the glory of Jesus, we can trust that one day he will return in glory for us, his bride.

Reflection:

Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth, in a serious seeking after thee, and in an affectionate walking with thee, every day of our lives; that when thou comest, we may be found not hiding our talent, nor serving the flesh, nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished, but waiting and longing for our Lord, our glorious King, for ever and ever.

-- Richard Baxter, 1615-1691