Paul's whole life is centred on the hope of something very distant. What an eccentric. What normal person would make their existence revolve around waiting for some dwelling in heaven? Eternal it may be, but who knows when it will come...
Paul's whole life is centred on the hope of something very distant. What an eccentric. What normal person would make their existence revolve around waiting for some dwelling in heaven? Eternal it may be, but who knows when it will come…
It is natural for human beings to seek to satisfy their needs as quickly and tangibly as possible. If someone is in pain, or has been hurt by another person, or is having difficulties in their family relationships, they want just one thing: for things to get better as soon as possible. And at that moment sin may seem quite justified. Like the clever little pig Naf-Naf, we build brick houses to protect us from the wolf. But those same sturdy walls also protect us from God.
To trust Him and, “groaning under the burden,” await the reward and joy of another world, and therefore to direct our intentions and actions not towards fulfilling our own desires but towards following God's will—this is the path to holiness. But it is a difficult, costly path, requiring courage and faith. To give up so much here, simply believing that immeasurably more will be given there… Easier said than done.
One imagines that everyone who follows this path has more than once felt a strong desire to give up. Perhaps the apostle Paul, too, had moments of temptation. But they could not shake his passionate longing for God, who has prepared for His children “a house not made with hands, eternal”—a home where there will be no sorrow, no sickness, no sighing. And so, living in a world whose mortality he keenly senses, Paul strives for just one thing: to be pleasing to God, so as not to lose life with Him.
There are moments when God seems so immense and beautiful, strong and tender, that beside Him all our problems, failures and everyday cares become small and insignificant, taking their proper place. It is important not to let such moments slip away; may their memory sustain us when the brick mansion of our desires once again seems more attractive than a dwelling in heaven.
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5:10 For we all - Apostles as well as other men, whether now present in the body, or absent from it. Must appear - Openly, without covering, where all hidden things will be revealed; probably the sins, even of the faithful, which were forgiven long before. For many of their good works, as their repentance, their revenge against sin, cannot other wise appear. But this will be done at their own desire, without grief, and without shame. According to what he hath done in the body, whether good or evil - In the body he did either good or evil; in the body he is recompensed accordingly.
5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we the more earnestly persuade men to seek his favour; and as God knoweth this, so, I trust, ye know it in your own consciences.
5:12 We do not say this, as if we thought there was any need of again recommending ourselves to you, but to give you an occasion of rejoicing and praising God, and to furnish you with an answer to those false apostles who glory in appearance, but not in heart, being condemned by their own conscience.
5:13 For if we are transported beyond ourselves - Or at least, appear so to others, treated of, Co2 5:15-21, speaking or writing with uncommon vehemence. It is to God - He understands (if men do not) the emotion which himself inspires. If we besober - Treated of, Co2 6:1-10. If I proceed in a more calm, sedate manner.It is for your sakes - Even good men bear this, rather than the other method, in their teachers. But these must obey God, whoever is offended by it.
5:14 For the love of Christ - To us, and our love to him.Constraineth us - Both to the one and the other; beareth us on with such a strong, steady, prevailing influence, as winds and tides exert when they waft the vessel to its destined harbour.While we thus judge, that if Christ died for all, then are all, even the best of men, naturally dead - In a state of spiritual death, and liable to death eternal. For had any man been otherwise, Christ had not needed to have died for him.
5:15 And that he died for all - That all might be saved.That they who live - That all who live upon the earth. Should not henceforth - From the moment they know him. Live unto themselves - Seek their own honour, profit, pleasure. But unto him - In all righteousness and true holiness.