2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore. That is, in view of Paul’s confidence in the resurrection and the future life (vs. 6-8).

Labour. Gr. philotimeomai, “to be actuated by a love of honor,” “to strive earnestly for” (cf. Rom. 15:20; 1 Thess. 4:11). The motive that ever spurred Paul onward, in spite of the trials that beat down upon him (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7-18), was the glorious prospect of the resurrection, or of translation without death, both for himself and for his converts. Paul personally strove to be “accepted” when he should stand before “the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:10). He labored, not to earn merit before God, not to atone for his sins, not to add something to the gift of Christ’s righteousness, but to cooperate with Christ in the task of saving his fellow men (1 Cor. 15:9, 10; Col. 1:29). He labored, as well, to make everything in his own life a reflection of Christ, for he knew this would be pleasing and acceptable in the sight of the Lord. The difference between the sincere and the insincere believer is that one seeks the approbation of God and the other the approbation of man.

He who resolves to live, not for himself, but for Christ, will not spend his time in ease and idleness or in the pursuit of worldly pleasure (Gal. 1:10).

It is said that in ancient times a refiner of gold gazed intently at the molten metal in his crucible until he could see his own face mirrored in it. Then he knew that it was pure. Thus it is with Christ, who looks for His own reflection in us (cf. Job 23:10). It is our privilege to become like Christ, of whom it is said that He “pleased not himself” (Rom. 15:3; cf. Heb. 11:5). There is all the difference in the world between doing right only because it is right and because God requires it, and doing it for the joy that comes when it is done for Christ’s sake. Laudable as it may be to do right from a sense of duty, how much better to do it from a heart overflowing with love for the Master. It was the love of Christ that constrained Paul to live as he did (2 Cor. 5:14). The burden of obedience to God’s commandments becomes light when it is motivated by love (see on Matt. 22:28-30; cf. Rom. 8:1-4). The sincere desire to please Christ enables the Christian to discern, with unerring accuracy, between that which is evil and that which is good (see on Rom. 8:5-8).

Whether present or absent. See on vs. 6, 8.

Accepted of him. The great concern was not whether Paul should live on, or whether his earthly labors should be brought to a close. His concern was only that, whatever might happen, his life should be such that it would meet the approval of God (see 2 Tim. 4:6-8; see on Matt. 25:21; Luke 19:17).