2 Corinthians 5:4
What does 2 Corinthians 5:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 5:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 5:4 means
Paul returns to the present experience: life in this earthly tent is burdened and produces groaning. Yet his goal is not to be stripped of existence, but to be further vested with the heavenly life, so that mortality is overwhelmed by true life. The imagery emphasizes continuity and transformation—what is mortal is not denied but swallowed up by God’s imperishable life. This pushes back against despair and against any contempt for the body. God intends believers to be fully alive, clothed with immortality that ends frailty and death. The verse invites patience and hope: our groans are real, but they anticipate a deeper, fuller vitality secured by God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For truly, we who are in this tent do give out cries of weariness, for the weight of care which is on us; not because we are desiring to be free from the body, but so that we may have our new body, and death may be overcome by life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for we also who are in the tabernacle do groan, being burdened, seeing we wish not to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves, that the mortal may be swallowed up of the life.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we also, who are in this tabernacle, do groan, being burthened; because we would not be unclothed, but clothed upon, that that which is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For indeed we who are in the tabernacle groan, being burdened; while yet we do not wish to be unclothed, but clothed, that [what is] mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Context
Verses 2–3 expressed longing and clarified its nature. Verse 4 sums up the reason: believers feel the weight of mortality, yet desire not negation but consummation. This prepares the way for verse 5, where Paul identifies God as the One who crafted us for this very end and gave the Spirit as a guarantee. The argument moves from experience (groaning), to purpose (being further clothed), to assurance (God’s pledge), which will then fuel confidence and holy ambition in verses 6–10.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 5:2
For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven:
- Isaiah 25:8
He hath swallowed up death for ever; and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of his people will he take away from off all the earth: for Jehovah hath spoken it.
- 2 Peter 1:13
And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
- 1 Corinthians 15:53
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
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