English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 5:4
4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2 Corinthians 5:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
- New Living Translation (NLT)While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.
Context of 2 Corinthians 5:4
2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
Read all of 2 Corinthians 52 Corinthians 5:4 word by word
καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι, ἐφ᾽ ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι ἀλλ᾽ ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forκαίkai · andG2532
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- we that areὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- we that areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- tabernacleσκῆνοςskēnos · tentG4636
- do groanστενάζωstenazō · to groanG4727
- being burdenedβαρέωbareō · to burdenG916
- notοὐou · noG3756
- forἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- thatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- we wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
- be unclothedἐκδύωekduō · to stripG1562
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- clothed uponἐπενδύωependuomai · be clothedG1902
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- mortalityθνητόςthnētos · mortalG2349
- might be swallowed upκαταπίνωkatapinō · to swallowG2666
- ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
- lifeζωήzōē · lifeG2222
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:4
- 2 Peter 1:13I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,
- 2 Corinthians 5:2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,
- 2 Corinthians 5:3if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.
- Isaiah 25:8He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
- 1 Corinthians 15:53For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For we that are in this tabernacle - We who are in this state of trial and difficulty do groan, being burdened; as if he had said: The whole of human life is a state of suffering, and especially our lot; who are troubled on every side, perplexed, persecuted, cast down, bearing about in the body the dying of our Lord Jesus, and being always delivered unto death on the account of Jesus, 2 Corinthians 4:8-11. These were sufficient burdens, and sufficient…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4For we - We who are Christians. All Christians. That are in this tabernacle - This frail and dying body; note, 2 Corinthians 5:1. Do groan - see 2 Corinthians 5:2. This is a further explanation of what is said in 2 Corinthians 5:2. It implies an ardent and earnest desire to leave a world of toil and pain, and to enter into a world of rest and glory. Being burdened - Being borne down by the toils, and trials, and calamities of this life; see the note, 2…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-10The idea of eternal hope is promising, with heavenly bodies replacing our dying ones. The God of resurrection will raise us and present us with all believers (4:14). Paul faced challenges in Ephesus, which inspired this statement about resurrection hope (1:8–11). His body's weakness reminded him of life after death, when our earthly body will be taken down in death and decay (see 1 Corinthians 15:42–57; Philippians 3:20–21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. For--resuming 2Co 5:2. being burdened: not for that--rather, "in that we desire not to have ourselves unclothed (of our present body), but clothed upon (with our heavenly body). that mortality, &c.--rather, "that what is mortal (our mortal part) may be swallowed up of (absorbed and transformed into) life." Believers shrink from, not the consequences, but the mere act of dying; especially as believing in the possibility of their being found alive at the…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 5:4
In the dictionaries
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
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