Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:1

What does 2 Corinthians 5:1 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 5:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 5:1 means

Paul contrasts our current mortal condition with what God has promised. Our present body is like a temporary tent—fragile, portable, and subject to being taken down at death. Yet believers possess a sure hope: God has prepared a permanent dwelling, an eternal, heavenly “building” not fashioned by human hands. This points to the resurrection body, given and secured by God Himself. The verse comforts those aware of bodily weakness and decay by assuring them that the end of earthly life is not loss but transition. The believer’s future is not shadowy or vague; it is solid, durable, and God-made, anchoring courage in the face of mortality and earthly suffering.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For we are conscious that if this our tent of flesh is taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in heaven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For we have known that if our earthly house of the tabernacle may be thrown down, a building from God we have, an house not made with hands--age-during--in the heavens,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For we know, if our earthly house of this habitation be dissolved, that we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For we know that if our earthly tabernacle house be destroyed, we have a building fromGod, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Context

Coming out of chapter 4’s theme of outward decay and inward renewal, Paul begins a new image: tent versus building. He moves from affliction and mortality to hope and certainty about what God provides beyond death. Verse 1 sets the controlling metaphor for the section (vv. 1–10) and prepares readers for the language of groaning and clothing that follows. The emphasis on God’s work and the heavenly nature of the future home frames the entire discussion of courage, faith, and the desire to please the Lord amid life’s transience.

v.1This passage

v.2For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 11:10

    for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

  • Colossians 2:11

    in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

  • 1 Corinthians 15:46

    Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.

  • John 14:2

    In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:

  • Mark 14:58

    We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.

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