2nd Corinthians Chapter 5:1 - 7: Everything the Believer Needs to Know about Their Present, Intermediate and Future Abodes In a Few Short Verses - All By Faith:

The first 4 verses of chapter 5 are packed with some interesting words and understanding the Greek from which they are translated provides insight into the three phases of the true believer’s existence; here on earth; the intermediate after death and the glorious eternal heavenly existence. Of course, if the rapture occurs before death, the intermediate is skipped. The last two verses of the preceding chapter provide context: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:1717 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

- 1817 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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In other words, everything here and now is in the “seen” category and anything “seen” is temporary. This includes human life, wealth/material possessions, prestige, social standing, and even magnificent edifices, including church buildings. On the other hand, things that are not seen are spiritual/eternal and are comprehended in the Spirit of Faith, 2 Corinthians 4:1313 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

because “… faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

. The Spirit of Faith gives believers hope (what they earnestly expect) even though it cannot be seen (beheld/perceived). Therefore, we can say with the Apostle Paul: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” 2 Corinthians 4:17.

The first 4 verses of chapter 5 are quoted with some key words and phrases highlighted, followed by a parenthesis with a brief English definition translated from Greek: (verse 1) “For we know that if our earthly (worldly/in earth/terrestrial) house (abode, home, house) of this tabernacle (a booth, tent, hut) were dissolved, (destroyed) we have a building (architecture/compound) of God, an house (abode, home, house) not made with hands (unmanufactured/inartificial), eternal (perpetual/everlasting) in the heavens (air/heaven/sky). (verse 2) “For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon (to invest upon, clothed upon) with our house (residence/habitation) which is from (denoting origin) heaven (air/heaven/sky): (verse 3) If so be that being clothed (sinking into a garment/invested with clothing) we shall not be found naked (nude). (verse 4) For we that are in this tabernacle (a booth, tent, hut) do groan, being burdened (weighed down): not for that we would be unclothed (to sink out of/to divest), but clothed upon (to invest upon, clothed upon), that mortality (liable to die/mortal) might be swallowed up (to drink down/gulp/devoured) of life.” 2 Corinthians 5:11 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.

1 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.

- 41 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.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4 For 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.

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Twenty-two words or phrases are highlighted, 3 of which are duplicates. The brief definition provided in parenthesis is sufficient for most of the words however, the following words require further examination.

“Tabernacle” in verses 1 and 4 is from the Greek “skay-nos” (G4636) found only in these two verses in the New Testament (NT). According to the Greek Lexicon, it means “a hut or temporary residence” and is used to describe the temporary nature of the human body that houses the soul and spirit while on earth. At some point each will be dissolved, either by death or when the Lord Jesus Christ catches believers up, commonly referred to as the rapture. While in our temporary huts/bodies we “groan” being weighed down, 2 Corinthians 5:22 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

. (The older a person gets, the more he/she groans from infirmity and/or the stress of circumstances which weighs down.) The word “groan” is also significant. It translates the Greek “stenazo” (G4727), which occurs 6 times in the NT, six being the number for mankind as marked by the first reference; man was created on the 6th day and last, anti-christ’s number, 666, Revelation 13:1818 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

. Stenazo is translated “groan” in Romans 8:2323 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

as well as here in 2 Corinthians 5:2 & 42 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4 For 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.

, “sigh” in Mark 7:3434 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

, “with grief” in Hebrews 13:1717 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

and “grudge” in James 5:99 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

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While both the believer and unbeliever “groan,” only the believer has hope in the future, an abode “not made with hands.” This 4-word phrase in verse 1 is translated from one Greek word “acheiropoietos” (G886) found only 3 times in the NT. The first is in Mark 14:5858 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

where Jesus was accused before the Chief Priests and counsel: “We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.” Their accusation was totally false as Jesus never said He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days. In fact, the Temple in Jerusalem was necessary for Israel to properly follow the Law. It was the center of worship for the Jews, this being why Jesus called it His Father’s House when he took a whip and drove out those buying and selling animals and changing money, John 2:13 - 1613 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

. When the Jews asked Him what sign He showed by doing this: “Jesus answered and said unto them, destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:1919 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

, which He explained in John 2:2121 But he spake of the temple of his body.

that He spoke of the Temple of His Body. Therefore, the sign He had a right to cleanse the Temple of wrongful use was that He was The Son of God doing His Father’s work.

The third occasion of “acheiropoietos” follows the thought of our text in 2 Corinthians 5:1 in that it applies to members of the Body of Christ, based on the Gospel revealed to the Apostle Paul: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:” Colossians 2:10 - 1110 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

. God’s covenant with Abraham, the father of Israel required all male offspring be physically circumcised, Genesis 17:1010 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

and the Law God gave Moses for Israel required the same, Leviticus 12:1 - 31 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.

3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

. No such requirement exists for Members of The Body of Christ, but just as physical circumcision, cutting off the (sinful) flesh signified the Jews separation from the heathen, so the sinful flesh of each Member of Christ’s Body is cut off with Christ’s death on the cross. Thus, believers can claim with Paul: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:2020 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

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Based on 2 Corinthians 5:1 every believer is assured that when caught up to be with the Lord in the heavens (raptured), they have an eternal, incorruptible abode. (All will have a body like The Lord Jesus Christ’s glorious Body, Philippians 3:2121 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

.) However, nowhere does Paul reveal what the believer’s abode will be like in the heavens. The closest Paul gets to this is in describing being caught up to Paradise in the Third Heaven where he witnessed things of which he could not speak, 2 Corinthians 12:2 - 42 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

. Some confuse the future Holy City of Jerusalem that will come down from heaven to the earth as shown the Apostle John as recorded in Revelation as being for the Body of Christ. John describes it as being made of pure gold, precious stones, etc. It is the fulfillment of promises made to Israel and will be on the new earth, from which all nations will be blessed. It is associated exclusively with Israel, marked with the presence of the 12 Apostles, Revelation 21:22 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

; Revelation 21:9 - 279 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

, just as Jesus Christ promised them in Matthew 19:2828 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

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The intermediate existence of the believer refers to the period between death and resurrection at the rapture and is referred to as being “unclothed” in 2 Corinthians 5:44 For 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.

: “For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed (to sink out of/to divest), but clothed upon (to invest upon, clothed upon), that mortality (liable to die/mortal) might be swallowed up (to drink down/gulp/devoured) of life .” What Paul refers to as being “unclothed” is dying or being dead. He refers to it as “sleep” in other passages, including: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 1613 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

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Believers are assured in 2 Corinthians 5:55 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

that God Himself has already accomplished eternal life for them and bestowed His Holy Spirit as an earnest/pledge or advance security while living here on earth, see also 2 Corinthians 1:2222 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

. Because of this believers are confident that while living on earth, they are absent from the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:66 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

, with an explanation in parenthesis: “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 2 Corinthians 5:77 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

. The word “walk” means “to live, deport oneself, to be occupied with” and believers do so “by faith,” i.e., the substance (or ground) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1.