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.
Hence, arises his ambition to be accepted at the Lord's coming judgment. Hence, too, his dealing openly with men, as with God, in preaching: thus giving the Corinthians whereof to boast concerning him against his adversaries. His constraining motive is the transforming love of Christ, by whom God has worked reconciliation between Himself and men, and has committed to the apostle the ministry of reconciliation.
For. The reason for the statement (2 Corinthians 4:17) that affliction leads to exceeding glory.
We know - assuredly (2 Corinthians 4:14; Job 19:25). if. For all shall not die; many shall be "changed" without 'dissolution' (1 Corinthians 15:51-53), if this daily delivering unto death (2 Corinthians 3:11) should end in actual death.
Earthly, х epigeios (G1919)] - not the same as earthy (1 Corinthians 15:47): in contrast to "in the heavens."
House of this tabernacle - rather, 'house of the tabernacle.' "House" expresses more permanency than belongs to the body; therefore the qualification, "of this tabernacle" (implying what is shifting, not stationary) is added: this tabernacle-like house (cf. Job 4:19; 2 Peter 1:13-14). In the tabernacle in the wilderness, the wooden frame and curtains wore out in time; and when Israel dwelt in Canaan a fixed temple was substituted for it. The temple and the tabernacle in all essentials were one: there were the same ark, the same cloud of glory. Such is the relation between the "earthly" and the resurrection body. The Holy Spirit is enshrined in the believer's body as in a sanctuary (1 Corinthians 3:16). As the ark went first in taking down the tabernacle, so the soul (which, like the ark, is sprinkled with blood of atonement, and is the sacred deposit in the inmost shrine, 2 Timothy 1:12) in the dissolution of the body; next the coverings were removed, answering to the flesh; lastly, the framework and boards, answering to the bones, the last to give way, (Numbers 4:1-49) Paul, as a tentmaker, uses an image from his trade (Acts 18:3).
Dissolved - a mild word for the death of believers.
We have - in assured prospect, as certain as if it were in our hands, laid up "in the heavens" for us. The tense is present (cf. John 3:36; John 6:47): not that the dissolution of the earthly, and the having the heavenly habitation, are simultaneous.
A building of God - Greek, 'from God.' A solid building, not a temporary tabernacle or tent. "Our" body stands in contrast to 'from God.' Though our present body be also from God, yet it is not fresh and perfect from His hands, as our resurrection body shall be.
Not made with hands - contrasted with houses erected by man's hands (1 Corinthians 15:44-49). So Christ's body is designated, as contrasted with the tabernacle reared by Moses (Mark 14:58; Hebrews 9:11). Our resurrection body, in contrast to the "earthly house of this tabernacle," our present body. The intermediate state is not directly taken into account. A comma should separate "eternal" and "in the heavens."