2 Corinthians 5:9

2 Corinthians 5:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
• New International Version (NIV)So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

Context of 2 Corinthians 5:9

7(for we walk by faith, not by sight;) 8we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Wherefore also we are zealous, whether present or absent, to be agreeable to him. 10For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ, that each may receive the things [done] in the body, according to those he has done, whether [it be] good or evil. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men, but have been manifested to God, and I hope also that we have been manifested in your consciences.

2 Corinthians 5:9 word by word

διὸ καὶ φιλοτιμούμεθα, εἴτε ἐνδημοῦντες εἴτε ἐκδημοῦντες, εὐάρεστοι αὐτῷ εἶναι·Read the interlinear

• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• absentἐκδημέωekdēmeō · be awayG1553

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:9

• John 6:27Work not [for] the food which perishes, but [for] the food which abides unto life eternal, which the Son of man shall give to you; for him has the Father sealed, [even] God.
• Romans 15:20and so aiming to announce the glad tidings, not where Christ has been named, that I might not build upon another's foundation;
• 1 Corinthians 9:26I therefore thus run, as not uncertainly; so I combat, as not beating the air.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58So then, my beloved brethren, be firm, immovable, abounding always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in [the] Lord.
• Colossians 1:29Whereunto also I toil, combating according to his working, which works in me in power.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11and to seek earnestly to be quiet and mind your own affairs, and work with your [own] hands, even as we charged you,
• 1 Timothy 4:10for, for this we labour and suffer reproach, because we hope in a living God, who is preserver of all men, specially of those that believe.
• Hebrews 4:11Let us therefore use diligence to enter into that rest, that no one may fall after the same example of not hearkening to the word.
• 2 Peter 1:10Wherefore the rather, brethren, use diligence to make your calling and election sure, for doing these things ye will never fall;
• 2 Peter 3:14Wherefore, beloved, as ye wait for these things, be diligent to be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless;
• 2 Corinthians 5:6Therefore [we are] always confident, and know that while present in the body we are absent from the Lord,
• Romans 14:8For both if we should live, [it is] to the Lord we live; and if we should die, [it is] to the Lord we die: both if we should live then, and if we should die, we are the Lord's.
• Genesis 4:7If thou doest well, will not [thy countenance] look up [with confidence]? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door; and unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
• Isaiah 56:7even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.
• Acts 10:35but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
• Ephesians 1:6to [the] praise of [the] glory of his grace, wherein he has taken us into favour in the Beloved:

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Wherefore we labor - · from , loving, and , honor; we act at all times on the principles of honor; we are, in the proper sense of the word, ambitious to do and say every thing consistently with our high vocation: and, as we claim kindred to the inhabitants of heaven, to act as they do. We may be accepted of him - ͅ To be pleasing to him. Through the love we have to God, we study and labor to please him. This is and will be our heaven, to study to love…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Wherefore - ( ̀ Dio). In view of the facts stated above. Since we have the prospect of a resurrection and of future glory; since we have the assurance that there is a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; and since God has given to us this hope, and has granted to us the earnest of the Spirit, we make it our great object so to live as to be accepted by him. We labor - The word used here ( ́ philotimoumethafrom ́ and ̀ timēloving honor) means…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-15Verses 9-15 The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-10The goal of life is to please him (see also Romans 12:1–2; 14:18; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). This goal will be tested when we stand before Christ for judgment. The judge is also our advocate, so we are confident of being found not guilty (Romans 8:1, 33–34). However, actions done in this earthly body will be evaluated and held accountable (Acts 17:31).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. Wherefore--with such a sure "confidence" of being blessed, whether we die before, or be found alive at Christ's coming. we labour--literally, "make it our ambition"; the only lawful ambition. whether present or absent--whether we be found at His coming present in the body, or absent from it. accepted--Greek, "well-pleasing."Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 5:9

• Man
• Perseverance
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Appear
• Constrain
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Earthly
• Faith
• Groan
• Pray
• Reconcile
• Sin
• Terror

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings