2 Corinthians 5:4

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• 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.

Context of 2 Corinthians 5:4

2In our present tent-like existence we sigh, since we long to put on the house we will have in heaven. 3After we have put it on, we won’t be naked. While we are in this tent, we sigh. We feel distressed because we don’t want to take off the tent, but we do want to put on the eternal house. Then ⌞eternal⌟ life will put an end to our mortal existence. 5God has prepared us for this and has given us his Spirit to guarantee it. 6So we are always confident. We know that as long as we are living in these bodies, we are living away from the Lord.

2 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 1:13As long as I’m still alive, I think it’s right to refresh your memory.
• 2 Corinthians 5:2In our present tent-like existence we sigh, since we long to put on the house we will have in heaven.
• 2 Corinthians 5:3After we have put it on, we won’t be naked.
• Isaiah 25:8He will swallow up death forever. The Almighty Lord will wipe away tears from every face, and he will remove the disgrace of his people from the whole earth. The Lord has spoken.
• 1 Corinthians 15:53This body that decays must be changed into a body that cannot decay. This mortal body must be changed into a body that will live forever.

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

• Death
• Man
• Resurrection
• Translation

In the dictionaries

• Clothed Upon
• Appear
• Constrain
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Death
• Earthly
• Faith
• Groan
• Immortality
• Man

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