Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options Listen to 2 Corinthians 5-7
Close NASB

2 Corinthians 5-7
New American Standard Bible

The Temporal and Eternal

5 For we know that if our [a](A)earthly (B)tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house (C)not made by hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed, in this tent we (D)groan, longing to be (E)clothed with our [b]dwelling from heaven, 3 since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked. 4 For indeed, we who are in this tent (F)groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be (G)clothed, so that what is (H)mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who (I)gave us the Spirit as a [c]pledge.

6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that (J)while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for (K)we walk by faith, not by [d]sight— 8 but we are of good courage and (L)prefer rather to be absent from the body and (M)to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be (N)pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before (O)the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for [e]his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.

11 Therefore, knowing the (P)fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also (Q)well known in your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you (R)again, but are giving you an (S)opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we have (T)lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ (U)controls us, having concluded this, that (V)one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer (W)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one [f](X)by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is (Y)in Christ, this person is (Z)a new [g]creation; (AA)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now (AB)all these things are from God, (AC)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the (AD)ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that (AE)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, (AF)not counting their wrongdoings against them, and [h]He has [i]committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are (AG)ambassadors for Christ, (AH)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be (AI)reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who (AJ)knew no sin to be [j](AK)sin in our behalf, so that we might become the (AL)righteousness of God in Him.

Their Ministry Commended

6 And (AM)working together with Him, (AN)we also urge you not to receive (AO)the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says,

“(AP)At a favorable time I listened to you,
And on a day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is “a favorable time,” behold, now is “a day of salvation”— 3 (AQ)giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything (AR)commending ourselves as [k](AS)servants of God, (AT)in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties, 5 in (AU)beatings, in imprisonments, in (AV)[l]mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in (AW)hunger, 6 in purity, in (AX)knowledge, in (AY)patience, in kindness, in the (AZ)Holy Spirit, in (BA)genuine love, 7 in (BB)the word of truth, and in (BC)the power of God; by (BD)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and (BE)dishonor, by (BF)evil report and good report; regarded as (BG)deceivers and yet (BH)true; 9 as unknown and yet well known, as (BI)dying and yet behold, (BJ)we are alive; as [m]punished and yet not put to death, 10 as (BK)sorrowful yet always (BL)rejoicing, as (BM)poor yet making many rich, as (BN)having nothing and yet possessing (BO)all things.

11 (BP)Our mouth [n]has spoken freely to you, you Corinthians, our (BQ)heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restrained [o]by us, but (BR)you are restrained in your own [p]affections. 13 Now in the same way in (BS)exchange—I am speaking as to (BT)children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well.

14 (BU)Do not be [q]mismatched with (BV)unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness (BW)share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 15 Or what (BX)harmony does Christ have with [r]Belial, or [s]what does a (BY)believer share with an (BZ)unbeliever? 16 Or (CA)what agreement does [t]the temple of God have with idols? For we are [u](CB)the temple of (CC)the living God; just as God said,

“(CD)I will (CE)dwell among them and (CF)walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 (CG)Therefore, (CH)come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 (CI)And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be (CJ)sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

Paul Reveals His Heart

7 Therefore, having these promises, (CK)beloved, (CL)let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 (CM)Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said (CN)before that you are (CO)in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 My (CP)confidence [v]in you is great; my (CQ)boasting in your behalf is great. I am filled with (CR)comfort; I am overflowing with (CS)joy in all our affliction.

5 For even when we came into (CT)Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were (CU)afflicted on every side: (CV)conflicts on the outside, fears inside. 6 But (CW)God, who comforts the [w]discouraged, (CX)comforted us by the arrival of (CY)Titus; 7 and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted among you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For though I (CZ)caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— 9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything [x]through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a (DA)repentance [y]without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this [z]godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what (DB)longing, what zeal, what (DC)punishment of wrong! In everything you (DD)demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. 12 So although (DE)I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of (DF)the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness in our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God. 13 Because of this, we have been (DG)comforted.

And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of (DH)Titus, because his (DI)spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For if I have (DJ)boasted to him about you regarding anything, I was not put to shame. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before (DK)Titus proved to be the truth. 15 His [aa]affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the (DL)obedience of you all, how you received him with (DM)fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice that in everything (DN)I have confidence in you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Lit earthly house of the tent
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:2 I.e., the resurrected body
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:5 Or first installment
  4. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Or appearance
  5. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Lit the things
  6. 2 Corinthians 5:16 I.e., by what one is in the flesh
  7. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature
  8. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit having
  9. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit placed in us
  10. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or a sin offering
  11. 2 Corinthians 6:4 Or ministers
  12. 2 Corinthians 6:5 Lit tumults
  13. 2 Corinthians 6:9 Or disciplined
  14. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Lit is open to you
  15. 2 Corinthians 6:12 Or in us
  16. 2 Corinthians 6:12 Lit inward parts
  17. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Lit unevenly yoked
  18. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Gr Beliar; a name of the devil and the antichrist
  19. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Lit what part has a believer with an unbeliever
  20. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or a temple
  21. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or a temple
  22. 2 Corinthians 7:4 Lit toward
  23. 2 Corinthians 7:6 Or lowly
  24. 2 Corinthians 7:9 Lit from
  25. 2 Corinthians 7:10 Or leading to a salvation without regret
  26. 2 Corinthians 7:11 Lit sorrow according to God
  27. 2 Corinthians 7:15 Lit inward parts
Listen to 2 Corinthians 5-7
Close NIV

2 Corinthians 5-7
New International Version

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly(A) tent(B) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan,(C) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(D) 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan(E) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(F) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(G)

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.(H) 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.(I) 9 So we make it our goal to please him,(J) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(K) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(L) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(M) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(N) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(O) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,”(P) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(Q) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(R) but for him who died for them(S) and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(T) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(U) the new creation(V) has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!(W) 18 All this is from God,(X) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(Y) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(Z) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(AA) as though God were making his appeal through us.(AB) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(AC) 21 God made him who had no sin(AD) to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(AE)

6 As God’s co-workers(AF) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(AG) 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[c](AH)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(AI) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(AJ) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(AK) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(AL) and in sincere love;(AM) 7 in truthful speech(AN) and in the power of God;(AO) with weapons of righteousness(AP) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(AQ) bad report(AR) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(AS) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(AT) and yet we live on;(AU) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(AV) poor, yet making many rich;(AW) having nothing,(AX) and yet possessing everything.(AY)

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(AZ) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(BA)—open wide your hearts(BB) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together(BC) with unbelievers.(BD) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(BE) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[d]?(BF) Or what does a believer(BG) have in common with an unbeliever?(BH) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(BI) For we are the temple(BJ) of the living God.(BK) As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[e](BL)

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them(BM)
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[f](BN)

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,(BO)
says the Lord Almighty.”[g](BP)

7 Therefore, since we have these promises,(BQ) dear friends,(BR) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness(BS) out of reverence for God.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

2 Make room for us in your hearts.(BT) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts(BU) that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.(BV) I am greatly encouraged;(BW) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.(BX)

5 For when we came into Macedonia,(BY) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn(BZ)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.(CA) 6 But God, who comforts the downcast,(CB) comforted us by the coming of Titus,(CC) 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,(CD) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation(CE) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,(CF) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you,(CG) it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong(CH) nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus(CI) was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you,(CJ) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus(CK) has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,(CL) receiving him with fear and trembling.(CM) 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.(CN)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
  5. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
  6. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
  7. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
Next
2 Corinthians 4
2 Corinthians 8
Next
dropdown
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible is made available by The Lockman Foundation
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV