Verses¶
Question¶
What does 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 teach about the intermediate state? Does "unclothed" (ekdysasthai) mean disembodied? What is Paul's actual preference and what does the clothing metaphor mean?
Primary Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:14 -- 5:10 (Complete Pericope)¶
2 Corinthians 4 (Preceding Context: Affliction, Death, and Resurrection Hope)¶
4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 4:8 [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair; 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 4:12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 4:13 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; 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you. 4:15 For all things [are] for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory; 4:18 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.
Greek parsing notes for 4:14: - egeiras (G1453) = Aorist Active Participle "the one having raised" - egerei (G1453) = Future Active Indicative "shall raise" -- future tense, pointing to a coming resurrection - parastEsei (G3936) = Future Active Indicative "shall present" -- future, eschatological
Greek parsing notes for 4:16-18: - diaphtheiretai (G1311) = Present Passive Indicative "is being destroyed" (outward man) - anakainoutai (G341) = Present Passive Indicative "is being renewed" (inward man) - proskaira (G4340) = "temporary/transient" (things seen) - aiOnia (G166) = "eternal/age-lasting" (things not seen)
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (Core Passage with Word-by-Word Greek Parsing)¶
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.
Greek: οἴδαμεν γὰρ ὅτι ἐὰν ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους καταλυθῇ, οἰκοδομὴν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἔχομεν, οἰκίαν ἀχειροποίητον αἰώνιον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οἴδαμεν | οἶδα | G1492 | Perf Act Ind 1P | we know |
| γὰρ | γάρ | G1063 | CONJ | for |
| ὅτι | ὅτι | G3754 | CONJ | that |
| ἐὰν | ἐάν | G1437 | COND | if [3rd class] |
| ἡ ἐπίγειος | ἐπίγειος | G1919 | Adj Nom Sg F | the earthly |
| ἡμῶν | ἐγώ | G1473 | Pron Gen 1P | our |
| οἰκία | οἰκία | G3614 | Noun Nom Sg F | house |
| τοῦ σκήνους | σκῆνος | G4636 | Noun Gen Sg N | of the tent |
| καταλυθῇ | καταλύω | G2647 | Aor Pass Subj 3S | should be destroyed |
| οἰκοδομὴν | οἰκοδομή | G3619 | Noun Acc Sg F | a building |
| ἐκ Θεοῦ | θεός | G2316 | Noun Gen Sg M | from God |
| ἔχομεν | ἔχω | G2192 | Pres Act Ind 1P | we have |
| οἰκίαν | οἰκία | G3614 | Noun Acc Sg F | a house |
| ἀχειροποίητον | ἀχειροποίητος | G886 | Adj Acc Sg F | not made with hands |
| αἰώνιον | αἰώνιος | G166 | Adj Acc Sg F | eternal |
| ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς | οὐρανός | G3772 | Noun Dat Pl M | in the heavens |
Key grammar: ean + kataluthE = 3rd class conditional (real possibility). echomen = present tense "we have" (not "we will have").
5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
Greek: καὶ γὰρ ἐν τούτῳ στενάζομεν, τὸ οἰκητήριον ἡμῶν τὸ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἐπενδύσασθαι ἐπιποθοῦντες,
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| στενάζομεν | στενάζω | G4727 | Pres Act Ind 1P | we groan |
| τὸ οἰκητήριον | οἰκητήριον | G3613 | Noun Acc Sg N | the dwelling-place |
| ἡμῶν τὸ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ | our [dwelling] from heaven | |||
| ἐπενδύσασθαι | ἐπενδύω | G1902 | Aor Mid Inf | to clothe upon ourselves |
| ἐπιποθοῦντες | ἐπιποθέω | G1971 | Pres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M | longing/earnestly desiring |
Key grammar: ependysasthai = Aorist Middle Infinitive. The middle voice indicates the subject acting upon itself -- "to clothe ourselves upon." The compound ep- (upon) + endyO (clothe) = to put on over what is already worn. This is NOT simple endyO (put on) but ependyO (put on OVER).
5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
Greek: εἴ γε καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι οὐ γυμνοὶ εὑρεθησόμεθα.
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἴ γε | εἰ / γέ | G1487/G1065 | COND/PRT | if indeed |
| καὶ | καί | G2532 | CONJ | also/even |
| ἐνδυσάμενοι | ἐνδύω | G1746 | Aor Mid Ptcp Nom Pl M | having clothed ourselves |
| οὐ | οὐ | G3756 | NEG | not |
| γυμνοὶ | γυμνός | G1131 | Adj Nom Pl M | naked |
| εὑρεθησόμεθα | εὑρίσκω | G2147 | Fut Pass Ind 1P | we shall be found |
Key grammar: endysamenoi = Aorist Middle Participle of endyO (G1746, simple "clothe" -- NOT the compound ependyO). gymnoi = "naked/bare."
TEXTUAL VARIANT: Some MSS read ekdysamenoi ("having been UNclothed") instead of endysamenoi ("having been clothed"). This is a significant variant. N1904 reads endysamenoi. The TR appears to have a shorter reading.
5:4 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.
Greek: καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι ἐφ' ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι ἀλλ' ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς.
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οἱ ὄντες | εἰμί | G1510 | Pres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M | the ones being |
| ἐν τῷ σκήνει | σκῆνος | G4636 | Noun Dat Sg N | in the tent |
| στενάζομεν | στενάζω | G4727 | Pres Act Ind 1P | we groan |
| βαρούμενοι | βαρέω | G916 | Pres Pass Ptcp Nom Pl M | being burdened |
| ἐφ' ᾧ | ἐπί / ὅς | G1909/G3739 | PREP/Rel | because/on account of which |
| οὐ θέλομεν | θέλω | G2309 | Pres Act Ind 1P | we do not wish |
| ἐκδύσασθαι | ἐκδύω | G1562 | Aor Mid Inf | to unclothe ourselves |
| ἀλλ' | ἀλλά | G235 | CONJ | but |
| ἐπενδύσασθαι | ἐπενδύω | G1902 | Aor Mid Inf | to clothe upon ourselves |
| ἵνα | ἵνα | G2443 | CONJ | in order that |
| καταποθῇ | καταπίνω | G2666 | Aor Pass Subj 3S | might be swallowed up |
| τὸ θνητὸν | θνητός | G2349 | Adj Nom Sg N | the mortal |
| ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς | ζωή | G2222 | Noun Gen Sg F | by life |
Key grammar: The three infinitives are all Aorist Middle: ekdysasthai ("unclothe oneself"), ependysasthai ("clothe upon oneself"). The hina clause states purpose: "in order that the mortal might be swallowed up by life." katapothE (G2666) = same root as 1 Cor 15:54 "Death is swallowed up in victory."
5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Greek: ὁ δὲ κατεργασάμενος ἡμᾶς εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο Θεός, ὁ δοὺς ἡμῖν τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ Πνεύματος.
Key: katergasamenos (G2716) = Aor Mid Ptcp "the one having worked/prepared"; arrabOna (G728) = "earnest/down payment/guarantee"; Pneumatos (G4151) = "of the Spirit"
5:6 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
Greek: Θαρροῦντες οὖν πάντοτε καὶ εἰδότες ὅτι ἐνδημοῦντες ἐν τῷ σώματι ἐκδημοῦμεν ἀπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου·
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Θαρροῦντες | θαρρέω | G2292 | Pres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M | being confident |
| πάντοτε | πάντοτε | G3842 | ADV | always |
| εἰδότες | οἶδα | G1492 | Perf Act Ptcp Nom Pl M | knowing |
| ἐνδημοῦντες | ἐνδημέω | G1736 | Pres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M | being at home |
| ἐν τῷ σώματι | σῶμα | G4983 | Noun Dat Sg N | in the body |
| ἐκδημοῦμεν | ἐκδημέω | G1553 | Pres Act Ind 1P | we are absent from home |
| ἀπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου | κύριος | G2962 | Noun Gen Sg M | from the Lord |
Key grammar: endEmountes (Pres Ptcp) and ekdEmoumen (Pres Ind) -- present tense forms describing the current state: "while being at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord."
5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Greek: διὰ πίστεως γὰρ περιπατοῦμεν, οὐ διὰ εἴδους·
Parenthetical: pisteOs (G4102) = "faith"; eidous (G1491) = "sight/appearance"
5:8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Greek: θαρροῦμεν δὲ καὶ εὐδοκοῦμεν μᾶλλον ἐκδημῆσαι ἐκ τοῦ σώματος καὶ ἐνδημῆσαι πρὸς τὸν Κύριον.
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| θαρροῦμεν | θαρρέω | G2292 | Pres Act Ind 1P | we are confident |
| εὐδοκοῦμεν | εὐδοκέω | G2106 | Pres Act Ind 1P | we are pleased/willing |
| μᾶλλον | μᾶλλον | G3123 | ADV | rather/more |
| ἐκδημῆσαι | ἐκδημέω | G1553 | Aor Act Inf | to be absent from home |
| ἐκ τοῦ σώματος | σῶμα | G4983 | Noun Gen Sg N | from the body |
| ἐνδημῆσαι | ἐνδημέω | G1736 | Aor Act Inf | to be at home |
| πρὸς τὸν Κύριον | κύριος | G2962 | Noun Acc Sg M | with the Lord |
Key grammar: Both infinitives are Aorist Active (not Middle as in 5:2,4). The aorist presents each action as a whole event. eudokoumen = "we are pleased/well-pleased" (stronger than "willing").
5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 5:10 For 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.
Parallel Pauline Resurrection/Body Passages¶
1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (The Resurrection Body)¶
15:35 But some [man] will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 15:36 [Thou] fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare [gymnos, G1131] grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other [grain]: 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 15:42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on [endysasthai, G1746, Aor Mid Inf] incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on [endysasthai] immortality. 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on [endysEtai, G1746, Aor Mid Subj] incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up [KatepothE, G2666, Aor Pass Ind] in victory. 15:55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? 15:56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. 15:57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Vocabulary connections to 2 Cor 5: - endysasthai (G1746) in 15:53 = same root as ependysasthai (G1902) in 2 Cor 5:2,4 (compound form) - thnEton (G2349, "mortal") in 15:53,54 = same word in 2 Cor 5:4 - katepothE (G2666, "swallowed up") in 15:54 = same root as katapothE in 2 Cor 5:4 - gymnos (G1131, "bare") in 15:37 = same word as gymnoi in 2 Cor 5:3
Philippians 1:20-26 (To Depart and Be with Christ)¶
1:20 According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death. 1:21 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart [analysai, G360, Aor Act Inf], and to be with Christ [syn ChristO einai]; which is far better: 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you. 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
Greek parsing of key verse (1:23): - synechomai (G4912) = Pres Pass Ind "I am pressed/constrained" - analysai (G360) = Aor Act Inf "to depart" (NOT ekdEmEsai -- different word) - einai (G1510) = Pres Act Inf "to be" (with Christ) - kreisson (G2908) = Comparative Adj "better"
Note: Paul uses analysai ("to depart/loose") here, not ekdEmEsai ("to be absent from home") as in 2 Cor 5:8. Different vocabulary for a related concept.
Philippians 3:20-21 (Transformation of the Body)¶
3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 3:21 Who shall change [metaschEmatizO, G3345] our vile body [sOma, G4983], 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.
Romans 8:18-25 (Groaning for Redemption of the Body)¶
8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth [systenazei, G4959 -- compound of stenazO] and travaileth in pain together until now. 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan [stenazomen, G4727] within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body [tEn apolytrOsin tou sOmatos hEmOn]. 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].
Key connections to 2 Cor 5: - stenazomen (G4727) = "we groan" -- same word and same form as 2 Cor 5:2,4 - "firstfruits of the Spirit" (8:23) parallels "earnest of the Spirit" (2 Cor 5:5) - "redemption of our body" (8:23) -- what the groaning is FOR = bodily redemption, not escape from the body
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (The Dead in Christ Rise)¶
4:13 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. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 4:15 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. 4:16 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: 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Key connection: "so shall we ever be with the Lord" (4:17) -- the endEmeO "being at home with the Lord" of 2 Cor 5:8 finds its mechanism here: being caught up at the resurrection/second coming.
Death-State Passages (OT)¶
Psalm 6:5¶
For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Psalm 88:10-12¶
88:10 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah. 88:11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? [or] thy faithfulness in destruction? 88:12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
Psalm 115:17¶
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
Psalm 146:4¶
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, 10¶
9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any [thing] that is done under the sun. 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Isaiah 38:18-19 (Hezekiah's Song)¶
38:18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can [not] celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. 38:19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
Note: Isa 38:12 also appeared as a cross-testament parallel for 2 Cor 5:4: "Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent" -- the tent metaphor for the body/life in an OT death context.
Job 3:13-19 (The Rest of Death)¶
3:13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, 3:14 With kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves; 3:17 There the wicked cease [from] troubling; and there the weary be at rest. 3:18 [There] the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. 3:19 The small and great are there; and the servant [is] free from his master.
Job 14:11-15, 21¶
14:10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where [is] he? 14:11 [As] the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens [be] no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. 14:13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14:14 If a man die, shall he live [again]? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 14:15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. 14:21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth [it] not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth [it] not of them.
2 Peter 1:13-15 (Tabernacle Parallel)¶
1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle [skEnOmati, G4638], to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance; 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle [skEnOmatos, G4638], even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease [exodon, G1841, "exodus/departure"] to have these things always in remembrance.
Greek parsing: - skEnOmati/skEnOmatos (G4638) = related to skEnos (G4636) in 2 Cor 5:1,4 - apothesis (G595) = "putting off/laying aside" -- the "taking down" of the tent - exodon (G1841) = literally "exodus" -- Peter's word for death
Cross-Testament Parallel Findings¶
The strongest NT parallel for 2 Cor 5:8 is 2 Cor 5:6 itself (score 0.541). The next strongest cross-passage parallel is 1 Th 4:17 (score 0.296), connecting "present with the Lord" to "so shall we ever be with the Lord."
For 2 Cor 5:4, the NT parallels point to 2 Cor 4:11 (mortal flesh) and Rom 8:11 (mortal bodies). The OT parallels connect to Isa 38:12 (tent metaphor for death).
For 2 Cor 5:1, the OT parallels center on "tent" and "build/building" vocabulary but no single OT passage strongly parallels the full thought.
Related Studies¶
These companion sites use the same tool-driven research methodology:
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| The Law of God | A 33-study investigation examining every major text, word, and argument about the moral law, ceremonial law, the Sabbath, and what continues under the New Covenant. 810 evidence items classified. |
| Genesis 6: The "Sons of God" Question | Who are the "sons of God" in Genesis 6:1-4? A 10-part report built on 28 supporting studies examines the angel view vs. the godly human view using explicit biblical evidence. |
| The Ten Commandments | A 17-study investigation of the Ten Commandments -- origin, meaning, Hebrew and Greek word studies, love and law, faith and obedience. 1,054 evidence items classified. |
| Bible Study Collection | Standalone Bible studies on various topics -- genealogies, prophecy, biblical history, and more. Each study is a self-contained investigation produced by the same three-agent pipeline. |