What does 2 Corinthians 5:1 mean?

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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. 2 Corinthians 5:1

Explanation

2 Corinthians 5:1 conveys a message of hope and assurance from the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Corinth. The ‘earthly house’ refers metaphorically to the mortal, physical body that humans inhabit during their earthly life. Paul uses the imagery of a ‘tabernacle’, which was a temporary, movable tent used for worship by the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The ‘dissolved’ aspect points toward the mortality of the body and its eventual death and decay. In contrast, Paul offers a comforting vision of an eternal, imperishable ‘building of God’ which he describes as a ‘house not made with hands.’ This is interpreted as the glorified, spiritual body or existence believers expect to receive in the afterlife—’eternal in the heavens’ indicating not just its everlasting nature but also its divine origin and its residence in the heavenly realm.

Historical Context

The verse is a part of the second letter to the Corinthians written by Paul probably around 55-57 AD. Corinthians is one of the Epistles in the New Testament, which were letters sent by Paul to early Christian communities. Paul wrote these words to encourage the believers in Corinth, who were facing trials, persecution, and moral challenges in a city known for its wealth, commerce, and pagan practices. He wanted to remind them of the temporary nature of their earthly struggles and the eternal glory that awaited them.

Theological Insights

Within Christian theology, this verse strengthens the understanding of the temporary nature of physical life and the promise of eternal life. Many Christian scholars interpret this as a reference to the resurrection body believers are promised in the afterlife—a body that is not subject to decay and death. This is often linked to the concepts of redemption and salvation, wherein the ephemeral limitations of current existence are contrasted against the eternal, divine plan God has for humanity post-resurrection.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life as a source of comfort and perspective, especially during times of grief, illness, or other hardships. It’s an invitation for individuals to focus on spiritual growth and the imperishable life after death, encouraging a detachment from excessive preoccupation with material concerns or fear of death. It can also foster a sense of hope by reminding believers of the promised eternal dwelling with God, regardless of the trials faced in the temporal world.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 15:51-54: Discusses the change from mortality to immortality at the last trumpet, when death is swallowed up in victory.
John 14:2: Jesus speaks of preparing a place for believers in His Father’s house.
1 Peter 1:3-4: Refers to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for believers.
Revelation 21:1-2: Describes a new heaven and a new earth, with the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God.
Hebrews 11:10: Abraham looked for a city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Language Study

In the original Greek, the key terms are:

“earthly house” (οἰκία ἐπίγειος – oikia epigeios): ‘Oikia’ suggests a dwelling place or home, and ‘epigeios’ denotes earthly or terrestrial.
“tabernacle” (σκήνους – skēnous): This refers to a tent or temporary abode, drawing imagery from the Old Testament where it denoted the portable sanctuary used before the Temple was built.
“dissolved” (καταλυθῇ – katalythē): This word means to dismantle or destroy, often used in context with buildings.
“building of God” (οἰκοδομὴν ἐκ Θεοῦ – oikodomēn ek Theou): ‘Oikodomē’ means a structure or edifice, and ‘ek Theou’ signifies from God, indicating a divine origin.
“not made with hands” (ἀχειροποίητον – acheiropoieton): This phrase indicates not crafted by human hands, often used to express a divine or supernatural creation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient myths and religions, the dichotomy between the earthly and divine, the temporary and eternal is a common theme. Comparable concepts are found, for example, in Ancient Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife, where the soul’s immortality and the continuation in the heavenly realm contrasts with the temporal life on earth. In Plato’s philosophy, the concept of Forms also introduces the idea of a perfect and eternal reality as opposed to the transient and imperfect material world.

Scientific Perspectives

The concept of an eternal house ‘not made with hands’ touches on beliefs that go beyond the domain of empirical science. However, modern science can offer insights into the process of decay (‘dissolution’) of the physical body, and the quest for understanding consciousness and whether any aspect of the self can be said to survive post-mortem, though these topics tread into areas of speculation beyond measurable data.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered interpretations on this verse:

William Barclay noted that Paul is emphasizing the contrast between the temporary nature of human life and the eternal nature of life with God.
John Calvin emphasized the idea that our earthly life is a preparation for the ‘heavenly building’ that God has prepared for those who serve Him.
Matthew Henry commented on the consolation that believers can draw from the fact that though the outward man perishes, the inward man is renewed day by day, preparing for the eternal home.