2 Corinthians 5 6

2 Corinthians 5:6 kjv

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2 Corinthians 5:6 nkjv

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6 niv

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6 esv

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,

2 Corinthians 5:6 nlt

So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5 verses

2 Corinthians 5 6 Meaning

In 2 Corinthians 5:6, the Apostle Paul conveys a deep spiritual paradox experienced by believers: a persistent confidence and unwavering conviction, rooted in the knowledge that their present physical existence in a mortal body inherently signifies a temporal separation from the direct, unveiled presence of the Lord. It highlights the Christian's status as a sojourner on Earth, viewing the current physical "home" as a place of distance from their ultimate spiritual "home" with Christ, thereby fueling a profound longing for glorification.

2 Corinthians 5 6 Context

This verse is part of Paul's broader discussion in 2 Corinthians 5 about the believer's hope in future glory and the certainty of resurrection. Having endured significant suffering for the gospel, Paul juxtaposes the fragility and temporariness of the earthly body ("earthly tent" in v.1, v.4) with the eternal, heavenly dwelling awaiting believers. He expresses a profound longing to be "clothed with our heavenly dwelling" (v.2) and for the mortal to be "swallowed up by life" (v.4). Verse 6 serves as a foundational statement, explaining the internal tension and driving motivation: their confidence comes from this heavenly prospect, even while they navigate the reality of being physically present in this world, which by definition means a present separation from the ultimate, direct presence of the Lord. Historically and culturally, Paul counters pagan views that might idolize the physical or Gnostic ideas that utterly devalue it, presenting a Christian theology where the body, though mortal and temporary in its current state, is destined for resurrection and glorification, but in its present form limits full communion.

2 Corinthians 5 6 Word analysis

• So (οὖν - oun): This Greek particle functions as a strong logical connector, indicating a conclusion or consequence derived from the preceding discussion (v.1-5) about the impermanence of the earthly tent and the assured hope of a heavenly dwelling. It marks a transition to an application of this truth.
• we (ἡμεῖς - hēmeis): Plural pronoun, referring to Paul and his apostolic team, but implicitly extending to all believers. It highlights a shared Christian experience and perspective, establishing common ground with the Corinthian church.
• are always (πάντοτε - pantote): Signifies a continuous and unwavering state. This confidence is not fleeting or situational, but a constant posture of faith regardless of external circumstances, trials, or even the thought of death.
• confident (θαρροῦντες - tharrōuntes): Present active participle, meaning "being of good courage," "being bold," "being confident." It denotes an inner steadfastness, bravery, and assurance, rooted in a spiritual conviction rather than mere optimism. It implies a strong, God-given certainty in the face of uncertainty.
• knowing (εἰδότες - eidotes): Present active participle, from oida, implying not just intellectual assent but a deep, experiential, and certain knowledge. This confidence is not blind faith but rests on revealed truth and a personal apprehension of it. It is the solid ground upon which their assurance stands.
• that (ὅτι - hoti): A conjunctive, introducing the specific content or reason for their confidence and knowledge.
• while we are at home (ἐνδημοῦντες - endēmoūntes): Present active participle, literally "dwelling among one's own people," or "being at home." Paul uses this term metaphorically here to refer to the present state of inhabiting the physical, earthly body. It highlights the temporal, localized nature of our current existence.
• in the body (ἐν τῷ σώματι - en tō sōmati): Refers to the physical, mortal human body, which for Paul is the "earthly tent" mentioned earlier. It specifies the "home" in which believers currently reside.
• we are away (ἐκδημοῦμεν - ekdēmoūmen): Present active indicative, literally "to be away from home," "to be a stranger or alien." This is the direct opposite of endēmoūntes and vividly captures the idea of being expatriated or a sojourner. Paul uses this to mean a state of being removed from immediate, direct, unveiled communion.
• from the Lord (ἀπὸ τοῦ κυρίου - apo tou kyriou): Specifies the object of their separation. "The Lord" primarily refers to Jesus Christ, by whom all believers will ultimately achieve full communion with God. This "being away" does not imply a lack of spiritual presence (the indwelling Holy Spirit, 2 Cor 5:5), but rather a longing for an unmediated, physical-spiritual presence and sight of Him.

Words-group Analysis:

• "So we are always confident, knowing": This phrase encapsulates the unshakable certainty that anchors the believer's perspective on life and death. The "confidence" isn't a feeling but a settled conviction stemming from an active, continuous "knowing" of God's revealed truth concerning their ultimate destiny.
• "while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord": This is the central, poignant antithesis of the verse. It describes the paradox of Christian life: one is "at home" in the sense of inhabiting a physical body in this world, yet simultaneously "away from home" in the spiritual sense, awaiting full union and direct presence with the Lord. It acknowledges the limitation of the current mortal existence in experiencing the complete presence of the divine. This separation isn't one of alienation from God's love or indwelling Spirit, but a physical and spiritual distance from the direct vision and presence of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5 6 Bonus section

• The terms endēmoūntes and ekdēmoūmen beautifully illustrate a metaphor of pilgrimage or sojourning that resonates throughout the Bible, where believers are depicted as aliens or temporary residents on earth, anticipating their true, eternal homeland.
• The source of this "always confident" attitude is rooted in the preceding verse (v.5) where Paul states that God has "given us the Spirit as a guarantee." The Holy Spirit's presence within the believer serves as the down payment, confirming the certainty of their future resurrection and eternal inheritance with the Lord. This divine indwelling makes the future hope a present reality in miniature.
• This verse counters a possible worldly sentiment that seeks ultimate security or fulfillment in physical life or achievements, redirecting hope towards the unseen and eternal, reinforcing the perspective of our true citizenship being in heaven (Php 3:20).

2 Corinthians 5 6 Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:6 articulates a fundamental truth of the Christian journey, bridging the "already" and "not yet" of salvation. Paul presents a profound confidence, born not from wishful thinking, but from a robust knowledge of the future resurrection and the heavenly dwelling promised by God. This confidence exists in tension with the present reality: residing in the mortal body, though a vessel for God's Spirit, necessarily entails a degree of separation from the direct, glorious presence of the Lord. This isn't a statement of abandonment, but an honest acknowledgement of the limitations of our current physical state compared to the ultimate glorified existence with Christ. It compels believers to live with a forward-looking hope, understanding their earthly sojourn as temporary, yet purposeful, as they yearn for complete, unveiled communion with their Savior. This perspective encourages steadfastness amidst suffering, knowing that earthly discomfort is fleeting compared to eternal glory.