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 walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether at home or absent, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, so that each one may receive what is due for the things he did while in the body—whether good or bad. 11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we are trying to persuade people, but what we are is known to God—and I hope it is known to your consciences as well.

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 6:27Don’t work for food that spoils, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him, God the Father has put the seal of approval.”
• Romans 15:20In this way I make it my aim to proclaim the Good News not where Messiah was already named, lest I build on another person’s foundation,
• 1 Corinthians 9:26So I run in this way—not aimlessly. So I box in this way—not beating the air.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my dearly loved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord—because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• Colossians 1:29To this end I labor, striving with all His strength which is powerfully at work in me.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11and aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, just as we directed you—
• 1 Timothy 4:10(for to this end we work hard and strive): “We have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who trust.”
• Hebrews 4:11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through the same pattern of disobedience.
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers and sisters, make all the more effort to make your calling and election certain—for if you keep doing these things, you will never stumble.
• 2 Peter 3:14Therefore, loved ones, while you are looking for these things, make every effort to be found in shalom, spotless and blameless before Him.
• 2 Corinthians 5:6Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
• Romans 14:8For if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
• Genesis 4:7If you do well, it will lift. But if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the doorway. Its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
• Isaiah 56:7these I will bring to My holy mountain, and let them rejoice in My House of Prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar. For My House will be called a House of Prayer for all nations.”
• Acts 10:35but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.
• Ephesians 1:6to the glorious praise of His grace, with which He favored us through the One He loves!

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