2 Corinthians 5:1-21 MSG 1 For instance,

This chapter 2 Corinthians 5 is closely connected with the

former, and indeed has been improperly separated from it, as

is manifest from the word.“For” (γαρ gar) with which it

commences. It contains a further statement of reasons for what has been said in the previous

chapter.

2 Corinthians 5:1-21 MSG

• The main subject there was the ministry; the honesty and

fidelity with which Paul and his fellow-laborers toiled; the trials

and dangers which they encountered in the work of the ministry; and the consolations and supports which they had

in its various trials, (Barnes)

2 Corinthians 4:13 We're not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, "I believed it, so I said it," we say what we believe. 14 And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. 15 Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more

and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!

16 So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day

goes by without his unfolding grace. 17 These hard times are small

potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration

prepared for us. 18 There's far more here than meets the eye. The things

we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't

see now will last forever.

Now continuing with verse 1, chapter 15:

1 For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken

down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven--God-made, not

handmade—

Paul has spoken of looking for the things that are unseen and eternal.

He now describes the body as only a tent dwelling, a temporary abode, in

which we are camping during a journey. If death should come and the

body be dissolved, there is another dwelling for the redeemed,

"resurrection bodies" described in, “in heaven--God-made, not handmade.” To the saint, death is the exchange of

the earthly tent dwelling for this eternal spiritual body. (PNT)

2 and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly

wait to move--and so we cry out in frustration.

The sense is, that we are subjected to so many trials and afflictions in the present body; that the body is subjected to so many pains and to so much suffering, as to make us earnestly desire to be invested with that body which shall be free from all susceptibility to suffering.

(Barnes)

Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a

stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a

glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! 3 (SEE 5:2) 4

(SEE 5:2)

The thought is that when the spirit leaves the mortal clay, it lays off an old and worn-out clothing, and is to be clothed upon, or invested in, its

divine clothing. (PNT)

5 The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead.

He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.

6 That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped

conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious

living conditions ahead.

7 It’s what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. 8 Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks

in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty

ready to exchange exile for homecoming.

Because God has formed us for immortality and glory, and given us his Spirit as the earnest of it, we take heart, are of good

courage, do not sink under our burdens, or despair of happiness, but are fully assured

of enjoying what we are desirous of: (Gill)

9 But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. 10 Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.

11 That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we

meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how

much and deeply we care.

This is a stimulus to labor so as to be accepted by Christ. The object of this judgment is that he may reap the fruits of what he has done in the body. The

language here implies that our probation ends with our earthly life. (PNT)

12 We’re not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good,

proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. 13 If I acted crazy, I did it

for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. 14 Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first

and last word in everything we do.

Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. 15 He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.

In this verse, Paul brings into view the principle which actuated him; the reason

of his extraordinary and disinterested zeal. That was, that he was influenced by the love which Christ had shown in dying for all people, and by the argument which

was furnished by that death respecting the actual character and condition of man

(in this verse); and of the obligation of those who professed to be his true

friends. (Barnes)

16 Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or

how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all

wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. 17 Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life

is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!

Because, crucified with Christ (Rom 6:6), buried into his death (Rom 6:4), we have died with Christ (2Co 5:14), and risen to walk in a new life (Rom 6:4). The old life ended when we died and were buried. Born anew, we are new creatures who

must live a new life.“a new life burgeons!” The affections, the

motives, the thoughts, the hopes, the whole life. (PNT)

18 All this comes from the God who settled the relationship

between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships

with each other. 19 God put the world square with himself through

the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing.

20 We’re Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to

drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right

between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God;

he's already a friend with you. 21 How? you say. In Christ. God put the

wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with

God.

“All this comes from the God” The gospel, the object of which is to transform men, and to bring them to peace with God.

“who settled the relationship between us and him,” This explains more fully the

ministry of reconciliation. It was not God who was to be reconciled, but the world. In

Christ it is offered peace and shown the love of God. The ministry of reconciliation is to persuade men to accept God's love and mercy, and to repent so that he can

forgive their trespasses.

“God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing.” We have God's message,

are his authorized messengers, and speak for God, beseeching you for Christ, and in his name, to “Become friends with God;” by repentance and the obedience of faith.

“God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong,” As a sinless substitute he

suffered for our sins, that our sins might thus be atoned for, the law satisfied, and we be

forgiven and accounted righteous. Since we die with Christ, in him we pay the penalty, and are

justified. (PNT)

1 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. 2 God

reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help.

Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped.

3 Don't put it off; don't frustrate God's work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over

everything we're doing.

2 Corinthians 6:1-18 MSG

The “marvelous life God has given us.” meant is the gospel, the ministry of

reconciliation. To “squander” it would be to receive it and then fall away.

Compare 1Cor. 15:2. The prophecy, Isa 44:8, is an offer of salvation to the Gentiles, to whom the Corinthians belonged. The point is that God has offered the salvation, but that “now is the right time to listen,” and it is

not safe to “put it off.” (PNT)

4 Our work as God's servants gets validated--or not--in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly,

unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; 5 when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard,

working late, working without eating; 6 with pure heart, clear head, steady hand;

in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; 7 when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're

doing our best setting things right;

8 when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and

honored; true to our word, though distrusted; 9 ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead;

beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; 10 immersed in

tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching

many; having nothing, having it all.

11 Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. 12 We

didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your

lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. 13 I’m

speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives.

Live openly and expansively!

14 Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong?

That's not partnership; that's war. Is light best friends with dark? 15 Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and

mistrust hold hands?

16 Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God's holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself

put it this way: "I'll live in them, move into them;

I'll be their God and they'll be my people.17 So leave the corruption and compromise;

leave it for good," says God."Don't link up with those who will pollute you.

I want you all for myself. 18 I'll be a Father to you; you'll be sons and

daughters to me."The Word of the Master, God.