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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 2 Corinthians 5
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
of the Apostolate
of His Ministry of Reconciliation
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. Paul discusses his death in 2Co_5:1-10.
1. He uses two metaphors.
a. an earthly tent versus a permanent, God-made building
b. clothed versus unclothed (i.e., naked)
2. It is very difficult to follow Paul's antecedent thoughts. Is he talking about
a. our being clothed in Christ at baptism (cf. 2Co_5:2-4)
b. the Spirit's indwelling at salvation (cf. 2Co_5:5)
c. our receiving a new spiritual body at Christ's return (cf. 2Co_5:3; 2Co_5:10)
3. The best Pauline parallels to interpret this text are found in Rom_8:18-30 (i.e., groaning) and 1Co_15:53-54 (i.e., "swallowed up").
4. Somehow this text must be related to Paul's discussion of suffering in chapters 4 and 6. Faithful, godly living amidst difficult circumstances is a recurrent theme.
B. Paul makes a major theological assertion in 2Co_5:6; 2Co_5:8. Previously believers and non-believers were thought to go to Hades at death to await judgment (see hyperlink at 2Co_5:6). Rabbinical Judaism even asserted a division in this holding place of the dead (i.e., OT Sheol) between the righteous and the wicked. Paul asserts that at Jesus' resurrection He took the righteous with Him to heaven. Now believers do not go to hades, but are with the Lord. Whether this implies a full fellowship or a limited fellowship is uncertain. The Bible does not reveal detailed information about the afterlife.
C. Paul makes another startling statement in 2Co_5:10. Apparently all believers and unbelievers will stand before Christ as Judge. Is this a parallel to the sheep and goat judgment of Matthew 25 or the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20? If believers are forgiven of all sin through Christ, what will they be judged for? Again these specific questions cannot be answered biblically. The logical assumption is that they are responsible for
1. the gospel message
2. their spiritual giftedness
3. their use of physical resources
4. their availability for service
But, this is only conjecture based on the content of 2Co_5:11-21.
D. Paul's discussion of spiritual responsibility in 2Co_5:11-21 obviously reflects the false teachers' selfish, possibly immoral actions/teachings.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Does this chapter teach a disembodied period between death and resurrection?
2. Does 2Co_5:10 imply that believers will also be judged? If so, for what?
3. List Paul's two motives for evangelism (2Co_5:11; 2Co_5:14).
4. Explain why 2Co_5:14-15 are crucial for a proper understanding of the Christian life.