“For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.”
For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life — groaning (stenazō recurs) marks not despair but eager anticipation. The goal is not disembodied escape but transformation (zōē katapinō thanaton, life swallows death): mortality is overcome not abandoned.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 5:4
“For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan , not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon.” Here again he has utterly and manifestly stopped the mouths of the heretics, showing that he is not speaking absolutely of a body differing in identity , but of corruption and incorruption: 'For we do not therefore groan,' says he, 'that we may be delivered from the body: for of this we do not wish to be unclothed; but we hasten to be delivered from…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!