2 Corinthians 5 2

2 Corinthians 5:2 kjv

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2 Corinthians 5:2 nkjv

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

2 Corinthians 5:2 niv

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,

2 Corinthians 5:2 esv

For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

2 Corinthians 5:2 nlt

We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.

2 Corinthians 5 verses

2 Corinthians 5 2 Meaning

2 Corinthians 5:2 expresses a profound yearning of believers who, while dwelling in their frail, mortal bodies on earth, deeply desire the ultimate spiritual transformation—the glorification into an immortal, heavenly resurrection body. This intense longing, likened to a "groan," reflects not a desire for disembodiment, but rather for the complete and seamless transition to their eternal, God-given dwelling, bypassing the state of being unclothed (body-less) through direct eschatological transformation.

2 Corinthians 5 2 Context

The immediate context of 2 Corinthians 5:2 is crucial, as the entire chapter focuses on the Christian's future hope. It opens with Paul contrasting two "dwellings": the present "earthly house, this tent" (v.1), representing our fragile, mortal bodies, and a future "building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (v.1), which signifies the glorious, immortal resurrection body. The present earthly body is a source of weakness, suffering, and mortality (2 Cor 4:7-11, 16), which causes the believer to "groan." This groaning (v.2, 4) is not a mere complaint about suffering or existence, but an intense longing for the next stage of redemption—the ultimate transformation into an imperishable, glorified body. Paul makes it clear that this desire is not for an "unclothed" (disembodied) state after death, but to be "further clothed," implying a seamless transition without a temporary state of bodilessness, especially for those who might be alive at Christ's return (v.4).

Historically and culturally, Paul, being deeply rooted in the Jewish Scriptures, understood humanity as a unified entity of body and soul, in contrast to some Greek philosophies (like Platonism) that often denigrated the body as an impediment to the soul. For Paul, the body was not to be discarded but redeemed and transformed. The Christian belief in the bodily resurrection, central to the faith, directly countered the widespread pagan notion that physical matter was inherently evil and the ultimate goal was a disembodied existence for the soul. Paul’s language for a "spiritual body" (1 Cor 15) emphasized both continuity and profound transformation, rejecting crude materialism while also affirming God's plan for physical glory.

2 Corinthians 5 2 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): This is a conjunction that introduces an explanation or reason, connecting the statement in verse 2 to the hopeful declaration of verse 1 (knowing we have a heavenly building). It provides the justification for the intense groaning described.
• in this (ἐν τούτῳ - en toutō): This phrase refers to the current predicament and environment of believers—being within their earthly, mortal bodies, subject to weakness and decay, as mentioned by "this tent" in 2 Cor 5:1. It emphasizes the present context of their longing.
• we groan (στενάζομεν - stenazomen): (Greek: stenazō) This word is a present tense verb, indicating an ongoing action. It denotes a deep, inward sighing, an expression of strong longing, sorrow, or profound internal desire, not simply a casual sigh or complaint. It implies a fervent, often suppressed, emotional and spiritual yearning, echoing the groans of creation and believers described in Rom 8:22-23 for future redemption.
• earnestly desiring (ἐπιποθοῦντες - epipothountes): (Greek: epipotheō) This present active participle further intensifies the "groan." It means to long for, to yearn deeply, to crave intensely. It conveys a strong emotional and spiritual pull towards a cherished object or state, underscoring the fervent nature of the believer's aspiration.
• to be clothed with (ἐπενδύσασθαι - ependysasthai): (Greek: ependysomai) This is a crucial and distinctive term. It is an infinitive meaning "to put on over" or "to be clothed upon." It implies a superimposition or transition where one garment (the new, heavenly body) is put over the existing one, rather than a complete removal and replacement. This highlights Paul's unique hope: not just to be freed from the earthly body, but to experience a seamless transformation directly into the glorified body, avoiding the intermediate "nakedness" or body-less state of death (cf. 2 Cor 5:4).
• our habitation (τὸ οἰκητήριον τὸ ἡμῶν - to oikētērion to hēmōn): (Greek: oikētērion) This term refers to a dwelling place or habitation. Here, it signifies the glorious, eternal resurrection body—the "building from God, a house...eternal in the heavens" of 2 Cor 5:1. The possessive "our" underscores that this will be the perfected form of our individual identity.
• which is from heaven (τὸ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ - to ex ouranou): This phrase specifies the origin, quality, and nature of the longed-for dwelling. It indicates divine origination, meaning this body is God-given, spiritual in quality, incorruptible, and eternal, standing in stark contrast to anything of earthly or temporary construct.

Words-group analysis:

• "For in this we groan, earnestly desiring": This opening segment strongly connects the present physical condition (being "in this" mortal body) with an active, deep spiritual longing. The "groaning" is depicted as purposeful, intertwined with an "earnest desire" for the ultimate redemption. It illustrates that believers are not passive sufferers but actively await God's promised future work, anticipating the glorification of their being.
• "to be clothed with our habitation": This unique Pauline phrase employs the rare Greek verb ependysasthai. It is pivotal for understanding the specific eschatological hope Paul held: not a wish for mere escape from the body through death ("unclothing"), but for the seamless, instantaneous transformation into a glorified, resurrection body at the Parousia. It emphasizes a desire for full spiritual and bodily completeness, for immortality to subsume mortality without an intervening period of body-lessness.
• "our habitation which is from heaven": This phrase clearly defines the object of the believer's intense desire: the resurrection body, distinct from anything earthly. The "habitation" confirms it as a dwelling place, a perfected form of being, while "from heaven" emphatically denotes its divine origin, inherent incorruptibility, and eternal nature, signifying God's perfect, supernatural provision for His people.

2 Corinthians 5 2 Bonus section

• Paul's architectural metaphor using "tent," "building," and "habitation" throughout 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 creates a cohesive imagery of our temporary earthly dwelling versus our eternal, God-made dwelling. This highlights God as the divine builder.
• The distinct choice of ependysasthai (to put on over) versus merely endysasthai (to put on) suggests a nuanced hope. It implies that at Christ's return, believers who are alive might experience glorification as an "overclothing" without passing through physical death and temporary disembodiment. This nuance distinguishes Paul's desire from a general longing for the after-life.
• This verse powerfully reinforces the biblical theology of the resurrection of the body. Contrary to Hellenistic thought which sometimes denigrated the physical, Christianity maintains the intrinsic goodness of creation and God’s plan to redeem and perfect the material body, not just the soul. The ultimate dwelling involves a physical, albeit glorified, form.
• The groaning described here is intrinsically tied to the work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers and helps them in their weakness, interceding with groanings (Rom 8:26). It is a Spirit-prompted longing that aligns believers' desires with God's ultimate eschatological purposes.

2 Corinthians 5 2 Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:2 powerfully expresses the Christian's profound yearning for their future glorified state. The "groan" signifies an intense, deeply felt desire, stemming from both the awareness of their mortal body's frailty and an eager anticipation of divine promises. Paul's critical term "to be clothed with" (ependysasthai) is central; it highlights a specific longing to undergo immediate transformation into the eternal, heavenly body, rather than experiencing an intermediate "unclothed" (body-less) state after death. This hope aligns with those believers who will be alive at Christ's return and instantly transformed without dying. The "habitation from heaven" underscores the divine, supernatural origin and imperishable quality of this new body, contrasting sharply with the temporal "earthly tent." Ultimately, this verse beautifully articulates the Christian hope not just for a spiritual future, but for a holistic redemption of the entire person, body included, for eternity.