2 Corinthians 5:9-13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:1-11

The apostle in these verses pursues the argument of the former chapter, concerning the grounds of their courage and patience under afflictions. And, I. He mentions their expectation, and desire, and assurance, of eternal happiness after death, 2 Cor. 5:1-5. Observe particularly, 1. The believer's expectation of eternal happiness after death, 2 Cor. 5:1. He does not only know, or is well assured by faith of the truth and reality of the thing itself?that there is another and a happy life after... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:12-15

Here observe, I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend himself and his fellow-labourers (2 Cor. 5:13), and tells them, 1. It was not to commend themselves, nor for their own sakes, that he had spoken of their fidelity and diligence in the 2 Cor. 5:1-11; nor was he willing to suspect their good opinion of him. But, 2. The true reason was this, to put an argument in their mouths wherewith to answer his accusers, who made vain boastings, and gloried in appearances only; that he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

5:1-10 For we know that if this earthly house of ours, that tent which is the body is pulled down, we have a building which comes from God, a house not made with hands, eternal and in the heavens. For indeed so long as we are as we are we earnestly long to put on our abode which is from heaven, and if indeed we have put it on we shall not be found naked. For, while we are in this tent of the body, we groan, for life weighs us down, for it is not so much that we desire to be stripped of this... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:11-19

5:11-19 So then, it is because we know the fear of the Lord that we keep on trying to persuade men, but to God we are already known through and through, and I hope that in your conscience, too, we will come to be as completely known. We are not trying to give ourselves another testimonial, but we are giving you an opportunity to express your pride in us, so that you may be able to answer those who pride themselves on outward appearances but not in the things of the heart. For, if we have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent ,.... This may be understood either of the ministers of the Gospel in particular, who labour in the word and doctrine, are ambitious, as the word here used signifies, and strive to preach the Gospel, not to please men, but their Lord and master; or of saints in general, who are intent upon this, and whose highest ambition is, that whether living or dying they may be accepted of him ; both persons and services: such who are born again,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear ,.... This is a reason why the saints are so diligent and laborious, so earnest and intent upon it, to be accepted of the Lord, because they must stand before the judgment seat of Christ ; who is appointed Judge of the whole earth, who is every way qualified for it, being God omnipotent and omniscient; and when he comes a second time will sit upon his great white throne, a symbol of purity and integrity, and will enter on this work, and finish it with the strictest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:11

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord ,.... Or the fear of the Lord; by which is meant either the grace of the fear of the Lord, implanted in the hearts of the apostles, and in which they acted in their ministry, faithfully dispensing to men the mysteries of grace; from which they could by no means be moved, because the fear of God was before their eyes, and upon their hearts; or rather the terror of the Lord in the last judgment, which will be very great, considering the awfulness of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:12

For we commend not ourselves again to you ,.... We have no need to do so, being well known to you; nor do we intend it when we thus speak of ourselves, and of our ministrations: but give you occasion to glory on our behalf ; suggest some things to you which you may make use of in our favour, for the vindicating of our characters and conduct: that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart ; by whom are meant the false apostles who gloried in an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:13

For whether we be besides ourselves ,.... As some took them to be, and as Festus thought the Apostle Paul was, because of the doctrines they preached, and the self-commendation they were obliged to enter into through the calumnies of their adversaries; in which they did not so much seek their own reputation, as the honour and glory of God, which was struck at through them: it is to God ; it is for his glory, and not our own, that we act this part, for which we are condemned as madmen. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore we labor - Φιλοτιμουμεθα· from φιλος , loving, and τιμη , honor; we act at all times on the principles of honor; we are, in the proper sense of the word, ambitious to do and say every thing consistently with our high vocation: and, as we claim kindred to the inhabitants of heaven, to act as they do. We may be accepted of him - Ευαρεστοι αυτῳ ειναι To be pleasing to him. Through the love we have to God, we study and labor to please him. This is and will be our heaven,... read more

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