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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 2 Corinthians 5:2 - 5:2
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2. καὶ γὰρ ἐν τούτῳ. We must choose between several translations of both halves. For καὶ γάρ for verily (R.V.), or for indeed, or for also, or for moreover: it introduces an additional point or emphatic reason. Here γάρ introduces the motive of S. Paul’s words: ‘I speak of this sure hope because we are conscious of sorrow.’ For ἑν τούτω̣, in this tent-dwelling, or in this body? or hereby (1Co 4:4), or ‘by this, herein’ (Joh 4:37; Joh 15:8; Joh 16:30) are possible renderings. ‘For truly this is why we groan’ may be right; but For in this σκῆνος we groan’ is more probable. In either case, “the burden of infirmity we carry about with us prevents the full realization of our blessedness” (Lias). Comp. Rom 8:23.
ἐπενδύσασθαι ἐπιποθοῦντες. Because we long to be clothed upon. The participle gives the reason for στενάζομεν: comp. εἰδότες (2Co 4:14). Winer, p. 144. The double compound occurs nowhere else in Biblical Greek, but is full of meaning here; comp. ἐπενδύτης (Joh 21:7; Lev 8:7; 1Sa 18:4 A). The metaphor makes the easy change from a small tent to a garment. Here we have the two combined, to be clothed with a habitation. For the accusative comp. Mat 6:25; Mar 6:9; Luk 7:27; 1Co 15:53-54. Even more than οἰκοδομή, οἰκητήριον gives the idea of a permanent home (Jud 1:6; 2Ma 11:2); and the idea is that of a lasting edifice being placed over a frail one, like one garment over another, so that the fabric that is covered ceases to be of value. The ἐπενδύτης was put on over the χιτών, and here the ἑπενδύτης = the Resurrection body, while the χιτών = the natural body. Comp. Asc. of Isaiah 4:16, 9:9, 11:40. Our earnest desire is to escape death and draw the Resurrection body over the natural body, so that the less may be absorbed in the greater. The Apostle perhaps means that the eager longing is evidence of the reality of what is longed for. It is improbable that our natural craving to have our perishable bodies superseded by something imperishable should be incapable of realization. In the N. T. ἐπιποθεῖν is almost peculiar to S. Paul, who has it in all groups of his Epistles (2Co 9:14; Rom 1:2; Php 1:8; Php 2:26; 1Th 3:6; 2Ti 1:4). Place only a comma at the end of 2Co 5:2.