2 Corinthians 5:1
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.
Again he arouses their zeal because many trials drew on. For it was likely that they, in consequence of his absence, were weaker in respect to this [need]. What then says he? One ought not to wonder that we suffer affliction; nor to be confounded, for we even reap many gains thereby. And some of these he mentioned before; for instance, that we bear about the dying of Jesus, and present the greatest proof of His power: for he says, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God: and we exhibit a clear proof of the Resurrection, for, says he, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. But since along with these things he said that our inward man is thus made better also; for though our outward man is decaying, says he, yet the inward man is renewed day by day; showing again that this being scourged and persecuted is proportionately useful, he adds, that when this is done thoroughly, then the countless good things will spring up for those who have endured these things. For lest when you hear that your outward man perishes, you should grieve; he says, that when this is completely effected, then most of all shall you rejoice and shall come unto a better inheritance. So that not only ought not one to grieve at its perishing now in part, but even earnestly to seek for the completion of that destruction, for this most conducts you to immortality. Wherefore also he added, 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. For since he is urging again the doctrine of the Resurrection in respect to which they were particularly unsound; he calls in aid the judgment of his hearers also, and so establishes it; not however in the same way as before, but, as it were, arriving at it out of another subject: (for they had been already corrected:) and says, 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. Some indeed say that the ‘earthly house’ is this world; But I should maintain that he alludes rather to the body. But observe, I pray, how by the terms [he uses,] he shows the superiority of the future things to the present. For having said earthly he has opposed to it the heavenly; having said, house of tabernacle, thereby declaring both that it is easily taken to pieces and is temporary, he has opposed to it the eternal, for the name tabernacle often times denotes temporariness. Wherefore He says, In My Father’s house are many abiding places. But if He anywhere also calls the resting places of the saints tabernacles; He calls them not tabernacles simply, but adds an epithet; for he said not, that they may receive you into their tabernacles, but into the eternal tabernacles. Moreover also in that he said, not made with hands, he alluded to that which was made with hands. What then? Is the body made with hands? By no means; but he either alludes to the houses here that are made with hands, or if not this, then he called the body which is not made with hands, ‘a house of tabernacle.’ For he has not used the term in antithesis and contradistinction to this, but to heighten those eulogies and swell those commendations.
2 Corinthians 5:2
- For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven.
What habitation? Tell me. The incorruptible body. And why do we groan now? Because that is far better. And from heaven he calls it because of its incorruptibleness. For it is not surely that a body will come down to us from above: but by this expression he signifies the grace which is sent from thence. So far then ought we to be from grieving at these trials which are in part that we ought to seek even for their fullness, as if he had said: Groanest thou, that you are persecuted, that this your man is decaying? Groan that this is not done unto excess and that it perishes not entirely. Do you see how he has turned round what was said to the contrary; having proved that they ought to groan that those things were not done fully; for which because they were done partially; they groaned. Therefore he henceforth calls it not a tabernacle, but a house, and with great reason. For a tabernacle indeed is easily taken to pieces; but a house abides continually.
2 Corinthians 5:3
If so be that being unclothed we shall not be found naked.
That is, even if we have put off the body, we shall not be presented there without a body, but even with the same one made incorruptible. But some read, and it deserves very much to be adopted, If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For lest all should be confident because of the Resurrection, he says, If so be that being clothed, that is, having obtained incorruption and an incorruptible body, we shall not be found naked of glory and safety. As he also said in the former Epistle; We shall all be raised; but each in his own order. And, There are celestial bodies, and bodies terrestial. (ib. 40.) For the Resurrection indeed is common to all, but the glory is not common; but some shall rise in honor and others in dishonor, and some to a kingdom but others to punishment. This surely he signified here also, when he said; If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.