Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
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The Questions
1) What is our “earthly tent” versus our “eternal dwelling?”
2) What does Paul mean by “mortality may be swallowed up by life?”
3) Who must appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
5 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Original Intent
1) What is our “earthly tent” versus our “eternal dwelling?”
Paul was a tentmaker by trade and would have understood the idea of living in a tent. In fact, the Greek word for “lived among us” used in John 1:14 (speaking of Jesus) is translated “tabernacled” or “tented.” However, Paul narrowed the term to mean the body that we live in. This is made clear by his use of the terminology of “clothed,” “unclothed,” and “naked,” and amplified in verse 6 when he states we are “at home in the body.” So, if our earthly home is our body, what is our eternal dwelling? We need to refer to 1 Corinthians 15:42 where, in essence, Paul’s point is that our bodies are marred by sin while in this world, but in eternity they will be glorified. Just as Jesus Christ inhabited a physical body after His resurrection, so will we. Just as He was physically recognized (He bore the scars from the crucifixion; see John 20:24-28), so will we be. But our glorified bodies will not experience decay or death, because they are for eternity. Are you as excited for this as I am?!
2) What does Paul mean by “mortality may be swallowed up by life?”
This phrase seems to be redundant unless we keep it in the context of the entire passage. Mortality refers to the life we have on earth; the life that swallows it is eternal life, which is greater…perfect, in fact! Scripture assures us that there is no pain or sorrow, no tears, no death or mourning in the new Heavens and Earth (Revelation 21:3-4). We will be free to worship and serve the Lord without distraction.
3) Who must appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
Paul states in verse 10 that “we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” He was speaking to the believers in Corinth; therefore, the judgment seat of Christ is a place where all believers must go. However, there is one other judgment in the end times: the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). This actually precedes the other. This judgment determines whether each person ever created has their name in the book of life. If so, they enter into eternal life with Jesus in the new Heavens and the new Earth. If not, they are sent to eternal torment and separation from God in Hell. The believers in Heaven are then judged by Christ to determine heavenly rewards for deeds done on earth.
Everyday Application
1) What is our “earthly tent” versus our “eternal dwelling?”
The children’s stories or myths of bodiless spirits or chubby little winged people sitting on clouds in heaven are completely false according to Scripture. God always intended humans to live with him in bodies; that was the way He created life on earth in the beginning (Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-22; 3:8). While we wait for our perfect, eternal bodies, we should take care to maintain our mortal bodies as much as possible. Hollywood and magazines try to convince us that perfection is attainable through fad diets, plastic surgery, and the latest trends. Nope, but nice try! We won’t have perfect bodies here, but we should be wise to eat well, exercise, and abstain from sin. As believers in Christ, we have been given the Holy Spirit who lives in each of us. Therefore, our bodies are God’s temples (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Maintaining healthy temples is important, and what we do with our bodies is important. Are we using our dwelling places of God’s Spirit to love others, share the gospel, and honor God? Some days my temple seems in need of major restoration or refocus…yours may, too. But God is faithful and will sustain us until He returns – or until He calls us home to Glory!
2) What does Paul mean by “mortality may be swallowed up by life?”
We long for the perfect redemption that is bound up in the promise of eternal life in the new Heaven and new Earth, but we must remember we also have a purpose while living here. Maybe you’ve heard the old saying, “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you’re of no earthly good.” The situations we experience, while living among and serving other people, are meant to mold and shape us as we grow deeper in love with Jesus. We are given regular, everyday opportunities to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) by making disciples of those around us! Lean into these opportunities as you allow the Spirit to guide you in growing deeper with Him and encouraging others in their faith!
3) Who must appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
For those of us who have trusted Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer, we have assurance that we will enter into eternal life in heaven. But what will happen at the judgment seat of Christ? He will judge our motivation behind each deed done (1 Corinthians 4:5; Romans 14:12). What was done for selfish reasons will be burned up (1 Corinthians 3:15), but if we have lived our lives for Christ, then, dear ones, we will be awarded crowns! Spoken of are the crown of life (James 1:12), the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4), the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-9), and the imperishable crown for completing the race (1 Corinthians 9:24-26). The crowns are not our goal, however. Our goal, as daughters of the King, is to bring glory to Him and to share His light with others. How can you glorify Jesus in your life today?!
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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
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Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
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