The big picture
2 Corinthians 5 opens in verse 1 with “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto…”, and closes in verse 21 with “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the…” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, absent, body, clothed, died. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Corinthians · King James Version · 212 Corinthians 5:1-7
1–7: For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved…
2 Corinthians 5:1–7 opens with “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of…” and reaches “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Corinthians 5 develops its own movement around Christ, absent, body, clothed, died, with particular weight carried by clothed, house, groan.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Corinthians 5:1-7
King James Version1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6Therefore 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:)
2 Corinthians 5:8-14
8–14: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body…
2 Corinthians 5:8–14 opens with “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with…” and reaches “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Corinthians 5 develops its own movement around Christ, absent, body, clothed, died, with particular weight carried by absent, body, Christ.
Context that brings the passage to life
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Corinthians 5:8-14
King James Version8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2 Corinthians 5:15-21
15–21: That he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live…
2 Corinthians 5:15–21 opens with “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but…” and reaches “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Corinthians 5 develops its own movement around Christ, absent, body, clothed, died, with particular weight carried by Christ, henceforth, died.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for…” The line’s distinctive content terms include died, live, henceforth. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.
“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Corinthians 5:15-21
King James Version15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Corinthians 5:1 begins with “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Where the chapter turns
2 Corinthians 5:6 forms a natural hinge: “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:”
The final note
2 Corinthians 5:21 leaves the reader with “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, absent, body, clothed, died, henceforth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does the repeated ending make readers feel?
Death becomes the chapter's persistent refrain, even as generation follows generation.
What two interruptions offer hope?
Enoch's walk with God and Lamech's hope attached to Noah.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.