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2 Corinthians 5:4

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

2 Corinthians 5:4

Verse 4 of 21

Scripture focus

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.

2 Corinthians 5:4 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:4

Theological / Devotional

Do groan. See on 2 Cor. 5:2; cf. Rom. 8:20-23.

Being burdened. Paul is fully aware of the frailty of the mortal tent, which must sooner or later be dissolved (see 2 Cor. 4:7-12). He longs to be released from all the frailties and sufferings of this present life. His recent experience at Ephesus and his anxiety for the church at Corinth had been almost beyond human endurance (see on chs. 1:8, 9; 2:13; 11:23-28).

Unclothed. That is, without either a mortal or an immortal body.

Swallowed up of life. It is plain from v. 4 that mortality is not exchanged for immortality until one is “clothed” with the “house . . . from heaven” (v. 2). Paul here gives no support to the unscriptural teaching that at death, when one is “unclothed,” he enters upon an immortal state of existence (see on 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; 2 Tim. 4:6-8).

By SdaBc