Chapter 5
Longing for Heaven
5:1 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.
Paul now refers to our bodies as being tents, temporary dwellings, and points to when they will be destroyed (when we die), that we will receive something more substantial, a building. He is emphasizing the permanent nature of our glorified eternal bodies made by God (see 1 Corinthians 15:52-53), not the construction of a literal building.
5:2 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.
While in our earth-bound ‘tents’ we groan, and for good reason (illness, injury, old age, etc.), so we look forward to our heavenly dwelling. Paul then tells us that by putting on our heavenly dwelling we will not be naked. This may sound odd to some but he is telling us we will not be a body-less spirit, instead we will have our new bodies. He again notes that while we are still in our tents we will groan being weighed down with pain, suffering, and sin (see Hebrews 12:1-2), not that we would be unclothed (spirit only, no body), but that we would be clothed with our glorified bodies. Then our dying bodies will be swallowed up by life eternal.
5:5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Note that Paul emphasizes that God is the one who is doing the preparation, and that He gives every believer the Holy Spirit as a guarantee (Greek ‘arrabōna’, a pledge, something to confirm a transaction) while we wait for the day we are changed (die or are raptured). This aligns well with what Jesus told His disciples (and us), “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3, ESV)
Considerations
Once Saved
Paul tells us that God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. Which for some raises up a question as most modern readers understand the concept of a limited guarantee. They know that the majority of guarantees do not cover things like abuse and willful destruction. So what about losing our faith? What if we reject Jesus? Does the guarantee become null and void? Paul answer that in Romans 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (ESV) While Paul makes no mention of disbelief specifically in this list, he conveys the fact that once the Holy Spirit is dwelling in a person, He is staying! (Click here for more information regarding the “Once Saved Debate”)
We Walk by Faith
5:6 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.
Because believers have the promise of heaven and eternal life with Jesus, Paul says we are always of good courage (bold confidence of our future existence). That while we are in our temporary bodies we are away from Jesus, or simply stated, we are not home yet! It is that hope that we believe and have faith in. Believers are to live accordingly keeping our eyes on Jesus, not on things of this world (see Hebrews 11:1).
5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Paul confirms that we have great confidence in our future and would rather be away from our human bodies to be at home with Jesus. But regardless of where we are, it is our desire to please Him (Click here to read commentary for Romans 12:1-2). Paul then proceeds to justify why we would want to please Him, that being we will all appear before His judgment seat to receive what is due for what we did for the body (the church at large, the kingdom of God), whether good or bad.
Verse ten is often misunderstood, first, this time being in front of Jesus is not to judge whether or not we get to go into heaven, it has nothing to do with our salvation. And second, the seat is located on what is called a ‘bēma’, an elevated step or platform where those in authority would typically address an assembly and it would often feature a prominent seat for that dignitary. These locations are not normally places of judgment, unless it is a race or for some other competition where the winners will be recognized and rewarded.
We read earlier in 1 Corinthians 3:14 that the workers of the kingdom of God will receive rewards based on what they did for Jesus (see also 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). This judgment seat is more like a awards banquet than a time for judgment, if a believer lived as an “undercover Christian” and did nothing for Jesus they, “will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:15b, NLT) Christians should not be nervous about this event.
Considerations
Pleasing Jesus
Paul mentions in verse nine that we make it our aim to please Jesus. But how do we do that? Jesus often stated (or similar) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, see also John 14:21, 23; 15:10). That requires us to know the Word of God, it is imperative to study as often as possible. Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 that our sacrificial obedience (being focused on Jesus not the world) every day is an act of worship. Are Jesus’ commandments different than God’s law? They might be, Click here to read about Christ’s Law and Click here for more information.
We Have Been Given the Ministry of Reconciliation
5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
Since we know our future of life eternal with Jesus, combined with the fear (Greek ‘phobon’, a profound respect, awe, and accountability) of Him, we persuade (Greek ‘peithomen’, to convince) others of their integrity as they share the gospel message. God knows this and Paul conveys the hope that they at the church understand and know this too.
5:12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.
Paul explains that he is not commending himself again (see 2 Corinthians 3:1) but instead giving them more cause to boast about them, to defend their teaching from (the subject of influence from itinerant preachers and false apostles will be a major theme for the remainder of the epistle) who are preaching about external worldly concerns and issues, instead of focusing on the heart and mind.
5:13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Paul admits that if they seem a bit crazy at times, perhaps one might say even zealous, it is for God, and if they appear to be in their right mind it is for their benefit, regardless, they are controlled by the love of Jesus. As they have concluded that one died for all, and all have died to their old life. Jesus died for all and that those who receive from Him new life no longer live for themselves, but for Jesus who died and raised to life again for them.
How does the love of Jesus control us? The truth is that He purchased every believer with His own blood (see Galatians 3:13-15), we were once slaves to sin and now we are His servants. Which means He is our Master, and as such we should be following His instructions, regardless of love. But He isn’t a typical master, He wants to be our Lord without dictating a schedule or insisting on strict obedience, He actually desires for us to be willingly obedient, motivated by our love for Him as He lovingly provides for us. The apostle John wrote, “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, ESV).
5:16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Paul concludes that no one should evaluate or understand others strictly from a human perspective as they once did regarding Jesus, but no longer do. Therefore, if someone accepts Jesus as their Savior, they are a new creation. The old life is gone and the new life has begun.
5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
As our creator and redeemer the phrase, “All this is from God,” seems like an understatement! But Paul is noting more than our existence, he is saying that even though humanity disobeyed God which created a rift between man and God that could not be bridged by man’s efforts ever, that God Himself reconciled (Greek ‘katallaxantos’, to reestablish proper friendly interpersonal relations after these have been disrupted or broken)[1] us to Himself. The entire effort of reconciliation from the start to the end was accomplished by God! He wants us to be with Him in heaven!
God then gave us the ministry (the position of serving) of reconciliation. Paul clarifies, that through Jesus, God the Father reconciled the world to Himself, not counting any disobedience against us, and trusts us to proclaim the message of reconciliation. Did you read that? God wants us to tell others about Jesus! That should be ours, and every Christian church’s priority!
5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Paul concludes that we are therefore ambassadors for Jesus, duly appointed representatives of the King of the Universe! He will use us to spread the gospel message and here Paul implores his readers (both his initial audience as well as all other readers) to accept Jesus’ offer of salvation and enjoy being reconciled to God.
5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The meaning of this verse is often debated. What does Paul mean when he wrote, “he made him to be sin”? Some look at this being a burden, the added ‘weight’ presented Jesus with greater pain. If that is true than having the weight of all the sin of humanity for all of time (remember He died for sin past, present, and future) would be significant as He likely did not get a discount. Others believe that Jesus was the sacrifice for sin, which He qualified being innocent of sin Himself. As we read in Leviticus, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” (Leviticus 17:11, ESV) The Old Testament law required animal sacrifices, that ‘innocent’ blood was regularly offered to atone for sin. The author of Hebrews offers this explanation: “But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:3-10) Once for all, Jesus’ victory on the cross satisfied the law for all people and for all of eternity. All we need to do is accept the gift.
Considerations
Fearing God
Are we supposed to fear God? The quick answer is yes, Jesus once stated, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28, ESV) If we do not understand that God means what He says when He talks about us being condemned for eternity, destined to hell (see John 3:18) then we might not have a fear of Him. We begin our relationship with God with the understanding that we are indeed sinners and according to Him we are already condemned and in doing so we recognize His authority over us. That’s where fear begins. But then He offers forgiveness and eternal life through His Son. And if we repent of our sins and accept His free offer for salvation, we see Him in a new light, one who has authority over all things, the King of the Universe! Now, being a new creation that will live forever with our King, we move from fear of Him, to awe of Him, that being the second definition of the word, in the moral sense, being reverent, respecting, giving honor, etc. Both the quick answer and the long answer is YES!
Itinerant Teachers
The apostle John wrote about false teachers going out on the road preaching a different gospel message (see 1 John 2:18-19; 4:1-3; 2 John 7). And apparently Paul encountered some of these itinerant teachers here in Corinth (as well as in Colossae, see Colossians 2:16-23). Their teaching often contained elements of Greek philosophy, Roman paganism, Judaism, and Christianity. Sadly, these influences "of the world" had a strong pull on the church. Much of that wayward doctrine will later be given the title of Gnosticism in the 2nd Century. History tells us that some of the false Greek philosophies included denying the humanity of Jesus, while others denied His deity, either way or both, this thinking ultimately concluded that Jesus was not sufficient for salvation, thereby requiring people to do something more for their salvation. Regarding Jewish legalism, many were teaching that circumcision was required, as well as the need to follow the proper dietary laws and observe all of the holy days outlined in the Torah (see Galatians 3:1-9 ). Some thought that since Paul suffered greatly (see 1 Corinthians 11:16-33) he must be preaching and teaching false doctrine, that God was punishing him.
A New Creation
At the moment of accepting salvation from Jesus, Paul tells us we are a new creation. But when you looked at yourself in a mirror you probably didn’t look much different, plus you probably didn’t feel any different, so what changed? So where is this new creation? It may be easier to see it as three phases. At that moment of acceptance we become justified (often called positionally sanctification, saved from hell), God has reconciled us and we are free from the penalty of sin. But we still struggle with sin while we remain alive, this ’phase’ is called progressive sanctification, a time of gradual growth. But when die (or get raptured) our bodies will be glorified (final sanctification) and spend eternity with Jesus. The alternative would be to remain guilty of sin and spend eternity away from God (Click here to read about hell).
We are Ambassadors for Christ
Before we go out and purchase flag for our cars, we should stop and think about what it means to be ambassadors for Jesus. First, we live to serve Him and He has called us to make His appeal through us, yes that means evangelism! Second, He did not give us this awesome responsibility without the proper tools and resources. He didn’t desert us, He gave us the Holy Spirit, who then gives us the appropriate gifts to do what we are called to do (which varies from person to person). Third, this appeal aligns with the edict He gave every believer, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Ambassadors are to be on the go, not just sitting around waiting (unless that’s all you can do). Fourth, ambassadors represent those in authority as if they were there, which means to be active in prayer and intersession for others. Fifth, and final point I want to make is that ambassadors know everything about who they represent. Be regularly reading and studying the Bible!
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[1] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 501). United Bible Societies.