2 Corinthians 5:1

¶ 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.

For {G1063} we know {G1492} that {G3754} if {G1437} our {G2257} earthly {G1919} house {G3614} of this tabernacle {G4636} were dissolved {G2647}, we have {G2192} a building {G3619} of {G1537} God {G2316}, an house {G3614} not made with hands {G886}, eternal {G166} in {G1722} the heavens {G3772}.

We know that when the tent which houses us here on earth is torn down, we have a permanent building from God, a building not made by human hands, to house us in heaven.

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

Context of 2 Corinthians 5:1

This verse opens a profound section in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, where he contrasts the temporary nature of our earthly existence with the glorious, eternal reality awaiting believers. It follows directly from 2 Corinthians 4:18, which concludes with the idea of looking "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." Paul and the Corinthians faced significant suffering and persecution, and this passage serves to bolster their hope and confidence by shifting their focus from present afflictions to future glory.

The imagery of an "earthly house of this tabernacle" speaks to the fragility and impermanence of the human body, much like a nomadic tent dwelling. This contrasts sharply with the solid, everlasting "building of God" that awaits them.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Temporary Nature of Earthly Life: The phrase "earthly house of this tabernacle" powerfully conveys the temporary and fragile nature of our physical bodies and our mortal existence. It emphasizes that our current dwelling is not our ultimate home.
  • The Certainty of Future Hope: "For we know that..." signifies a deep, unwavering assurance among believers regarding their future. This isn't mere speculation but a foundational truth of Christian faith, grounded in God's promises.
  • The Promise of an Eternal, Heavenly Dwelling: The "building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" points to a divine, permanent, and glorious dwelling place. This refers not merely to a disembodied state but to a transformed, spiritual body suitable for eternal life in God's presence, as further elaborated in 1 Corinthians 15:44 regarding the spiritual body.
  • Divine Origin and Superiority: The description "not made with hands" underscores that this future dwelling is of divine origin, entirely God's creation, and therefore infinitely superior to anything humanly constructed or perishable.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's choice of "tabernacle" for the Greek word skēnos (or skēnōma in some related contexts) is significant. It literally means a "tent" or "booth," reinforcing the idea of a temporary, portable dwelling. This contrasts sharply with oikodomē, the Greek word for "building" or "edifice," which implies a permanent, solid structure. This linguistic contrast highlights the immense difference between our present mortal bodies and the eternal dwelling God provides.

The phrase "not made with hands" (Greek: acheiropoiētos) emphasizes the divine, miraculous origin of this future dwelling, setting it apart from anything humanly manufactured or perishable. This term is also used in the New Testament to describe Christ's spiritual body or the temple not built by human hands.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Corinthians 5:1 offers profound comfort and perspective:

  • Hope in the Face of Mortality: It provides a powerful antidote to the fear of death, assuring us that physical death is not an end but a transition to an eternal, more glorious existence with God.
  • Living with an Eternal Perspective: This verse encourages us to live with an awareness of our ultimate heavenly home, shaping our priorities and decisions. Our earthly struggles and temporary discomforts are fleeting when viewed against the backdrop of eternal glory, as Paul emphasizes in 2 Corinthians 4:17.
  • Confidence in God's Promises: It reinforces the trustworthiness of God's promises regarding our future and the certainty of resurrection and eternal life. We are not left without hope, but have a "building of God" prepared for us, echoing Jesus' promise of many mansions in His Father's house.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 19:25

    For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:

  • Job 19:26

    And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God:

  • 1 John 3:2

    Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

  • 2 Peter 1:13

    Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance;

  • 2 Peter 1:14

    Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7

    But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
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