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

7For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 11Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.

2 Corinthians 5:9 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• we labourφιλοτιμέομαιphilotimeomai · to aspireG5389
• thatκαίkai · andG2532
• whetherεἴτεeite · whetherG1535
• presentἐνδημέωendēmeō · be homeG1736
• absentἐκδημέωekdēmeō · be awayG1553
• we may beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• acceptedεὐάρεστοςeuarestos · well-pleasingG2101
• of himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:9

• John 6:27But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
• Romans 15:20My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.
• 1 Corinthians 9:26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
• Colossians 1:29That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
• 1 Timothy 4:10This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
• Hebrews 4:11So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
• 2 Peter 1:10So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
• 2 Peter 3:14And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
• 2 Corinthians 5:6So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.
• Romans 14:8If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
• Genesis 4:7You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
• Isaiah 56:7I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
• Acts 10:35In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.
• Ephesians 1:6So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

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