2Cor 5:2-3 | JFB | STEP | 2. For in this — Greek, "For also in this"; "herein" ( ). ALFORD takes it, "in this" tabernacle. , which seems parallel, favors this. But the parallelism is sufficiently exact by making "in this we groan" refer generally to what was just said ( ), namely, that we cannot obtain our "house in the heavens" except our "earthly tabernacle" be first dissolved by death. we groan — ( ) under the body's weaknesses now and liability to death. earnestly desiring to be clothed upon —translate, "earnestly longing to have ourselves clothed upon, " &c., namely, by being found alive at Christ's coming, and so to escape dissolution by death ( ), and to have our heavenly body put on over the earthly. The groans of the saints prove the existence of the longing desire for the heavenly glory, a desire which cannot be planted by God within us in vain, as doomed to disappointment. our house —different Greek from that in ; translate, "our habitation," "our domicile"; it has a more distinct reference to the inhabitant than the general term "house" ( ) [BENGEL ]. from heaven —This domicile is " from heaven " in its origin, and is to be brought to us by the Lord at His coming again "from heaven" ( ). Therefore this "habitation" or "domicile" is not heaven itself.

2 Corinthians 5:2-3

2. For in this—Greek, "For also in this"; "herein" (2Co 8:10). ALFORD takes it, "in this" tabernacle. 2Co 5:4, which seems parallel, favors this. But the parallelism is sufficiently exact by making "in this we groan" refer generally to what was just said (2Co 5:1), namely, that we cannot obtain our "house in the heavens" except our "earthly tabernacle" be first dissolved by death.

we groan— (Ro 8:23) under the body's weaknesses now and liability to death.

earnestly desiring to be clothed upon—translate, "earnestly longing to have ourselves clothed upon," &c., namely, by being found alive at Christ's coming, and so to escape dissolution by death (2Co 5:1, 4), and to have our heavenly body put on over the earthly. The groans of the saints prove the existence of the longing desire for the heavenly glory, a desire which cannot be planted by God within us in vain, as doomed to disappointment.

our house—different Greek from that in 2Co 5:1; translate, "our habitation," "our domicile"; it has a more distinct reference to the inhabitant than the general term "house" (2Co 5:1) [BENGEL].

from heaven—This domicile is "from heaven" in its origin, and is to be brought to us by the Lord at His coming again "from heaven" (1Th 4:16). Therefore this "habitation" or "domicile" is not heaven itself.

3. If so be, &c.—Our "desire" holds good, should the Lord's coming find us alive. Translate, "If so be that having ourselves clothed (with our natural body, compare 2Co 5:4) we shall not be found naked (stripped of our present body)."