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Commentary
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 2 Corinthians Chapter 5 For by the gift of the Holy Spirit (in earnest) Paul knows that should death greet all the believers - or this earth pass away - then through that gift they have a sure hope of an eternal spiritual dwelling place with God. (v1) Paul expectantly waits to be clothed upon with this eternal life in spirit as opposed to earthliness (v2) so that in eternity he would be clothed with the gift of life by Christ rather than being found at fault without it. (v3) For in the earthly reality of the present they are troubled as to showing with diligence the requirements due their eternal life in Christ, to the end that they attain it worthily. (v4) God, their creator had made them fit for this purpose and has shown it to them openly by the gift of the Holy Spirit's ministrations to repentance and all obedience. (v5) Therefore whether they be concerned with this earthly responsibility they are comforted and become confident (v6) through their faith upon Christ (v7) to the effect that they would rather be spiritually dwelling with the Lord eternally as of this moment, and not in this earthly world. (v8) (But in all things found worthy to be accepted of God, whether with him in eternity or as yet away from him in this world) - Knowing that with diligence they seek out their salvation. (v9) For Christ, being blameless will judge all, so that those deeds of all may be made manifest - that repentance under grace may be shown to be justified by Him; repentance from they whom diligently sought out obedience after His own fashion in this life. (v10) Knowing in full the fear of God and judgement, Paul teaches men that they must repent and follow after Christ as diligently as possible in this life as to be found so worthy - as not to end as a castaway without having profited the Holy Spirit's ministration. For Paul examples that all deeds are open towards God and therefore their own deeds should reflect with fear the consequences of disobedience or laxity - especially in the minds of the corinthians - they being an example walked out in fear. (v11) Paul doesn't say this to boast of himself - but in order for them to show with great effect the difference between those that fear and follow the Lord in obedience and those that are not so minded. (v12) (For the apostles of Christ are a great focus for prayer so they that are not so able should have somewhat to their own credit before God) Whether Paul seems troubled it is with respect to obeying God, and whether he seem polite and settled it is to show them such an example (v13)- For within the grace of God extended over their faults they find they are constrained with fear leading to obedience, because if God had judged that He Himself had to die in place of all, then all must have been dead - for if there had been another that had such life then would he have taken the Lord's place! (v14) But, as He died for all, the life given them as a free gift was such that it was after the obedience of God, to whom is our like debt for the grace we receive. (v15) Therefore, as God has justified every man after the working of the Spirit in their gifted eternal life, no man can be judged after the manner of his present deeds - they are not known as they shall yet be, neither is the mind of Christ as to His final work of that man known. (v16) Therefore if any man be found to be in Christ with eternal life, then He is a new creation, lead towards perfect behaviour through the self same Spirit's training. (v17) That training, which is ministered towards the purpose of the creator of the vessel, reconciling that man to Him by Christ who has justified and placed the Spirit to train the man to worthiness before God.(v18) In other words - that in Christ's person was God working to reconcile the world to Himself under forgiveness of sins by the extension of grace which is the gospel committed to their preaching. (v19) Now, as Paul and they are ambassadors for Christ, (whose purpose is to reconcile His own to Himself), Paul pleads in Christ's stead that the believers be reconciled to God without striving in another direction; (v20) Because it is true that the condemnation under the law has been bridged over by the person of Christ - the deliverance of Christ blameless in obedience and the promise in His resurrection - with the seal of the Holy Spirit given to us as in earnest has translated us from the law of sin to the law of faith. (v21) (To the purpose that we would be as blameless as He before God in eternity. - For Christ's greater glory. ) |
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