2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8 in other translations
| BSB | We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. |
|---|---|
| WEB | We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. |
| ASV | we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. |
| YLT | we have courage, and are well pleased rather to be away from the home of the body, and to be at home with the Lord. |
| DARBY | we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. |
| BBE | We are without fear, desiring to be free from the body, and to be with the Lord. |
| Webster | We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. |
What does 2 Corinthians 5:8 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
And willing rather to be absent from the body. We would prefer to die. The same idea occurs in Php 1:23: "Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ; which is far better." The sense is, that Paul would have preferred to die, and to go to heaven, rather than to remain in a world of sin and trial.
To be present with the Lord. The Lord Jesus. Acts 1:24. Comp. Php 1:23. The idea of Paul is, that the Lord Jesus would constitute the main glory of heaven, and that to be with him was equivalent to being in a place of perfect bliss. He had no idea of any heaven where the Lord Jesus was not; and to be with him was to be in heaven. That world where the Redeemer is, is heaven. This also proves that the spirits of the saints, when they depart, are with the Redeemer; that is, are at once taken to heaven. It demonstrates
(1.) that they are not annihilated.
(2.) That they do not sleep, and remain in an unconscious state, as Dr. Priestly supposes.
(3.) That they are not in some intermediate state--either in a state of purgatory, as the Papists suppose, or a state where all the souls of the just and the unjust are assembled in a common abode, as many Protestants have supposed--but
(4.) that they dwell WITH Christ; they are WITH the Lord, (προςτονκυριον.) They abide in his presence; they partake of his joy and his glory; they are permitted to sit with him in his throne, Rev 3:21. The same idea the Saviour expressed to the dying thief, when he said, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise," Lk 23:43.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
The believer not only is well assured by faith that there is another and a happy life after this is ended, but he has good hope, through grace, of heaven as a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a hiding-place. In our Father's house there are many mansions, whose Builder and Maker is God. The happiness of the future state is what God has prepared for those that love him: everlasting habitations, not like the earthly…
2 Corinthians 5:8 in the original Greek
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Cross references for 2 Corinthians 5:8
- Philippians 1:20-24
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: …
- 2 Corinthians 5:6
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
- John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
- 1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2-3
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
- Psalms 73:23-26
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
- Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
- Psalms 17:15
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
- John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
- 2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
2 Corinthians 5:8 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mas confiamos, y más quisiéramos partir del cuerpo, y estar presentes al Señor. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | nous avons, dis-je, de la confiance, et nous aimons mieux être absents du corps et être présents avec le Seigneur. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | wir sind aber gutes Mutes und möchten lieber ausheimisch von dem Leibe und einheimisch bei dem Herrn sein. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | audemus autem, et bonam voluntatem habemus magis peregrinari a corpore, et præsentes esse ad Dominum. |