2Cor 5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Cor 5:1-10: 5:1-10 The prospect of eternal hope is bright, with heavenly bodies replacing the dying bodies of this present life. The God of resurrection will also raise us and present us to himself with all believers (4:14 ). The immediate stimulus for this statement of resurrection hope was what Paul had to face in Ephesus (1:8-11 ). The frailty of his body reminded him of what lies beyond death, when this earthly tent we live in — that is, our body—will be taken down in death and dissolution (see 1 Cor 15:42-57 ; Phil 3:20-21 ).

Summary for 2Cor 5:1-10: 5:1-10 ^a The prospect of eternal hope is bright, with heavenly bodies replacing the dying bodies of this present life. The God of resurrection will also raise us and present us to himself with all believers (4:14 ^b). The immediate stimulus for this statement of resurrection hope was what Paul had to face in Ephesus (1:8-11 ^c). The frailty of his body reminded him of what lies beyond death, when this earthly tent we live in—that is, our body—will be taken down in death and dissolution (see 1 Cor 15:42-57 ^d; Phil 3:20-21 ^e).
5:2 ^f we long to put on our heavenly bodies: This is no death wish; Paul was yearning for the Lord’s return when he would give new bodies to his people (1 Cor 15:51-58 ^g; Phil 3:20-21 ^h; 1 Thes 4:16-17 ⁱ).
5:7 ^j Our hope for future resurrection can only be known by faith (see Heb 11:1 ^k, 3 ^l, 27 ^m), yet we do have Jesus’ own resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit as evidence of what is to come (1 Cor 15:1-9 ⁿ; Eph 1:14 ^o).
Summary for 2Cor 5:9-10: 5:9-10 ^p The goal of the present life is to please him (see also Rom 12:1-2 ^q; 14:18 ^r; Col 1:10 ^s; 1 Thes 4:1 ^t). This ambition will be tested when we stand before Christ to be judged. The judge is also our advocate, so we are confident of acquittal (Rom 8:1 ^u, 33-34 ^v). Yet actions done in this earthly body will be assessed and called to account (Acts 17:31 ^w).
Summary for 2Cor 5:11-21: 5:11–7:4 ^x Paul now explains the main theme of his message, which is reconciliation—the turning of enemies into friends and the restoration of relationships. Paul’s thinking is rooted in what God has done through Christ to reconcile sinners to himself (5:18-21 ^y). This exposition is framed by a defense of his own ministry (5:11-17 ^z) and an application of his message to the situation in Corinth (6:1–7:4 ^aa). 5:11 ^ab One motive for Paul’s ministry is fearful responsibility to the Lord—not a cringing dread, but a healthy reverence (see Prov 1:7 ^ac).
5:12 ^ad Paul’s opponents bragged about having a spectacular ministry outwardly, but they did not have a sincere heart (cp. 1 Sam 16:7 ^ae; Rom 2:28-29 ^af).
5:13 ^ag If ... we are crazy: This statement might imply a charge on Paul’s previous visit to Corinth (2:1-2 ^ah) that he was out of his mind when he proclaimed the simple Good News there (1 Cor 2:2 ^ai).
Summary for 2Cor 5:14-17: 5:14-17 ^aj Paul’s doctrine of reconciliation arises from his conviction that (1) Christ died for all believers; (2) in Christ, believers also die to sin and self; and (3) now all believers should live for Christ. The new life in Christ thus leads to a fresh evaluation of other people and of Christ. 5:14 ^ak Christ’s love controls us: This could refer either to believers’ love for Christ or (more likely) to Christ’s love for us, which urges believers on in making Christ known through their service (see 1 Cor 9:16 ^al).
Summary for 2Cor 5:16-17: 5:16-17 ^am merely from a human point of view: Paul might be reflecting on his belief at one time as a Pharisee that the Messiah would come to set the Jews free from political oppression.

• How differently we know him now! Christ rose from the dead, ushered in the new creation (5:17 ^an), and was established as the redeemer from sin and Lord of the universe (Rom 1:3-4 ^ao; Phil 2:6-11 ^ap; Col 1:15-20 ^aq).
Summary for 2Cor 5:18-21: 5:18-21 ^ar God entrusts to his servants the message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ.

• God has given us this task of reconciling people: Paul is speaking of his own ministry, but sharing this wonderful message is the responsibility of all believers. Christ’s ambassadors call people to accept what God has done so they can be made right with God through Christ.

• Christ paid the penalty for people’s sins—to take away all that stood between God and humans and to make us right with God.
5:20 ^as The great privilege of believers is to be Christ’s ambassadors (cp. Eph 6:20 ^at).

• God is making his appeal through us: Paul doesn’t say that he speaks for God; rather, God speaks his word through us.

• Christ’s redeeming work for sinners opens the way for them to “Come back to God!” and be reconciled with him (see Rom 5:1-11 ^au; Eph 2:11-22 ^av; Col 1:15-23 ^aw). Christian witness has this appeal at its heart. Paul was also appealing to the rebellious Corinthians to come over to his side (see 2 Cor 6:1 ^ax).
5:21 ^ay Christ became the offering for our sin on the cross when he took sin’s penalty on himself and died a criminal’s death. He did this, though he himself never sinned (John 8:46 ^az; 1 Pet 2:22 ^ba; 1 Jn 3:5 ^bb), so that we might be made right with God—i.e., set in right relationship with God and accepted by him (see Gal 3:13 ^bc).