2 Corinthians 5:6

6 Therefore [we are] always confident, and know that while present in the body we are absent from the Lord,

2 Corinthians 5:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:6

Therefore we are always confident
Because God has formed us for immortality and glory, and given us his Spirit as the earnest of it, we take heart, are of good courage, do not sink under our burdens, or despair of happiness, but are fully assured of enjoying what we are desirous of:

knowing that whilst we are at home in the body;
or whilst we are inmates or sojourners in the body; for the body is not properly the saints' home; whilst they are in it, they are but pilgrims and strangers; the time of their abode in it is the time of their sojourning: during which time they

are absent from the Lord;
not with respect to his general presence, which is everywhere, and attends all creatures, an absence from which is impossible; nor with respect to his spiritual presence, which though not always sensibly enjoyed, yet frequently; nor are the children of God ever deprived of it totally and finally; but with respect to his glorious presence, and the full enjoyment of that. Now the knowledge and consideration of this, that the present state and situation of the saints, whilst in the body, is a state of pilgrimage, and so of absence from the Lord Christ, and from their Father's house, serves to increase their confidence and assurance, that they shall not long continue so, but in a little time shall be at home, and for ever with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6 In-Context

4 For indeed we who are in the tabernacle groan, being burdened; while yet we do not wish to be unclothed, but clothed, that [what is] mortal may be swallowed up by life.

5 Now he that has wrought us for this very thing [is] God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit.

6 Therefore [we are] always confident, and know that while present in the body we are absent from the Lord,

7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight;)

8 we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit. 'knowing' (from oida, conscious knowledge). It was their state; confident and knowing.
• [b]. The Greek words translated 'present' and 'absent' are literally 'at home' and 'away from home.'