Scofield Reference Bible Notes
2 Corinthians 5

2Co 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

house of this tabernacle

Or, tent-house.

2Co 5:4 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.

life

Life (eternal). Gal 2:20. (Mat 7:14; Rev 22:19.)

2Co 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). 2Co 6:6. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

faith

Faith. Gal 2:16, 20. (Gen 3:20; Heb 11:39.)

2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

absent from the body

Death (physical). 2Co 5:1-8; Phl 1:21-23. (Gen 3:19; Heb 9:27.)

2Co 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

labour

Greek are ambitious.

accepted of

well pleasing to.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

appear

be manifested.

judgment seat of Christ

The judgment of the believer's works, not sins, is in question here. These have been atoned for, and are "remembered no more forever" (Heb 10:17); but every work must come into judgment (Mat 12:36; Rom 14:10; Gal 6:7; Eph 6:8; Col 3:24-25). The result is "reward" or "loss" (of the reward), "but he himself shall be saved" (1Co 3:11-15). This judgment occurs at the return of Christ (Mat 16:27; Luk 14:14; 1Co 4:5; 2Ti 4:8; Rev 22:12). See other judgments: Scofield John 12:31, note; 1 Corinthians 11:31, note; Matthew 25:32, note; Ezekiel 20:37, note; Jude 1:6, note; Revelation 20:12, note.

Judgments (the seven). 2Co 5:8-10; Gal 3:13. (2Sa 7:14; Rev 22:12).

2Co 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

trust

hope.

2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

love of Christ

Law (of Christ). 2Co 5:13-14; 10:5. (Gal 6:2; 2Jo 1:5).

2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

not henceforth

no longer.

2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

flesh

Flesh. 2Co 7:1. (Jhn 1:13; Jde 1:23.)

know we him no more

know we him so no more.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

creature

creation.

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

reconciliation [See also 2Co 5:19-20.]

Reconciliation. 2Co 5:18-20. See Scofield Eph 2:16.

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their tresspasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

world

kosmos (Mat 4:8) = mankind.

imputing

Imputation. Gal 3:6. (Lev 25:50; Jas 2:23.)

tresspasses

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

made him

Sacrifice (of Christ). 2Co 5:14, 18-19, 21; Gal 3:10-14. (Gen 4:4; Heb 10:18.)

sin

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

be made

become.

righteousness

Righteousness. Scofield Romans 3:22, note.