2 COR 5:1 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–10: The promise of life in heaven

In this section, Paul explained that after believers die, they will receive a heavenly body (5:1). He used the metaphor of a tent to refer to the earthly body and the metaphor of a building in heaven to refer to the heavenly body. Paul and his coworkers desired that the change would happen (5:2–4). He explained that God had given that desire and that God had also given the Holy Spirit so we can be assured that the promise of a heavenly body will be fulfilled (5:5).

Then Paul wrote that they were confident in their faith (5:6–8) and purposely chose to please God (5:9). He wrote the reason to do so, namely that all believers will be judged and rewarded by God for the things they have done (5:10).

Paul continued to use the pronoun “we” to refer to himself, Timothy, and others who traveled with him telling the good news about Jesus. But in some verses in this section, the pronoun “we” probably includes the believers in Corinth and therefore all believers.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Our Heavenly Dwelling (NIV)

The mortal body that we have and the eternal body that God has promised

Faith Guides Our Lives (GW)

God has promised a new, eternal body and so we live by faith/believing

The assurance of an eternal body and judgment compels us to please the Lord

5:1a

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled,

¶ For we^(incl) know that should the earthly tent in which we live be destroyed,
¶ Furthermore, we know that if someone destroys the temporary body that we have here on earth,
¶ We know that if this earthly body we live in like a tent is killed,

Now: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Now is often translated as “for” or “because.” It is not a time word. The conjunction may indicate that:

5:1 explains 4:18.
5:1 gives an example of 4:18. For example:
for instance (JBP)
5:1 continues the theme of explaining from 4:18b.

In English, “for” allows all the above interpretations. Translate in a way that allows one or more of the above interpretations.

we: In 5:1–5, Paul probably used the pronoun we to include the believers in Corinth.

if: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word here:

The Greek refers to a possible event. For example:
if (NASB)
should (BSB, RSV, NIV, NASB, NABRE, NLT, GW, NET, REB, ESV, KJV)
The Greek refers to an event that is sure to happen. For example:
when (GNT) (GNT, NJB, CEV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the usual meaning of the Greek word and because the interpretation of the word “destroyed” below allows for a possible event.Thrall (p. 362) says it refers to possible destruction. Martin (pp. 102–103) and Hughes (on TW) indicate that Paul has in mind the time when Jesus will return for his people and change those still alive so that they do not experience death (1 Corinthians 15:50–52).

the earthly tent we live in is dismantled: There are two issues:

Issue 1: Meaning

The Greek word that the BSB translates as dismantled has several meanings. There are two ways to interpret the Greek word here:

The Greek word means destroy. For example:
the earthly tent which is our house is torn down (NASB) (RSV, NIV, GNT, NASB, NABRE, CEV, REB, NCV, ESV)
The Greek word means disassemble. A person removes a tent’s pegs and poles from the ground, then he folds the tent to get ready to move to a new place. For example:
the tent that houses us on earth is folded up (NJB) (BSB, NJB, NLT, GW, NET)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the usual meaning of the Greek word and because Paul was probably thinking of the persecution of 1:8–9 and wondering if someone might kill him for preaching about Jesus.Kruse (p. 112) refers to 4:16–5:10, where Paul wrote about the physical body “wasting away” through persecution and suffering. Thrall (p. 361) refers to “the prospect of death.” Harris (pp. 367, 371) translates the word as “is destroyed,” but allows that interpretation (2) is possible. Meaning Line 1 in the Display is an example of interpretation (1).

Issue 2: Passive

This clause is passive. It refers here to people destroying. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

someone destroys the earthly tent we live in

people destroy the earthly tent in which we live

the earthly tent we live in: This phrase is a metaphor for our human bodies. A tent is a movable shelter. It is set up temporarily in one place and then taken down. Likewise, our earthly bodies only last while we live on earth. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

our earthly house, the tent we live in (NET)

the tent that houses us on earth (NJB)

the tent that is our earthly home (ESV)

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to an actual tent. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Translate it as a simile. For example:
our earthly dwelling…like a tent (JBP)
the life we live here on earth…like a tent (GW)
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. (CEV)
Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
this tent we live in—our body here on earth— (GNT)
our body—the tent we live in here on earth— (NCV)
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
the life we live here on earth (GW)
our bodies that we only live in while here on earth You may then want to explain the literal words in a footnote. For example:
Literally: “our earthly house that is a tent.” These words indicate that our earthly bodies are temporary like a tent.
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
These words indicate that our earthly bodies are temporary like a tent.

tent: A tent is a temporary shelter. It can be made of sticks and animal skins or other materials that can be carried to another location and set up. In some languages people are not familiar with tents. If that is true in your language, use the word for a temporary shelter in which someone might live for a short time.

is dismantled: Here the word that the BSB translates as dismantled refers figuratively to being killed. If you translated the figurative meaning of the phrase “the earthly tent we live in” with “our earthly body,” you may want to translate the figurative meaning of dismantled here. For example:

is killed

5:1b

we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven,

we have an eternal building from God in which to live in heaven,
we also know that God will give to us a permanent, heavenly body.
we will have an eternal body, made by God himself, which is unlike a tent but is a permanent thing/building.

we have: The verb have is in the present tense. It is connected to “if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed.” So when we die, it is certain that we will each inhabit an eternal body.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that believers inhabit these eternal bodies while on earth. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Clearly indicate that 5:1b occurs when people die (5:1a). For example:
if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, then at that time we have…
Use the future tense. For example:
we will certainly have
God will give (CEV)

a building from God, an eternal house in heaven: These words continue the metaphor of bodies being like buildings. In this case, the building is eternal or permanent. It is not temporary like the tent in 5:1a. Other ways to translate this are:

a building from God…that is eternal in the heavens (NET)

a house for us from God…everlasting, in the heavens (NJB)

a building from God, a house…eternal in the heavens (ESV)

But if you followed one of the other options to translate the metaphor of a tent in 5:1a, you may want to follow the same option here:

Translate it as a simile. For example:
an eternal body in heaven like a permanent building from God
the body in which we will live in heaven will be eternal, like a permanent house, and it will be made by God
Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
an eternal house—our body there in heaven, which God has promised—
God will have a body for us—a permanent home in heaven that will last forever—
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
the heavenly body that will house us for eternity and that God will make
heavenly, eternal bodies from God You may then want to explain the literal words in a footnote. For example:
Literally: “a building from God, eternal and in heaven.” This saying indicates that God will make our heavenly bodies and they will last forever.
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
This saying indicates that God will make our heavenly bodies and they will last forever.

from God: This phrase indicates that God creates the body for believers.

5:1c

not built by human hands.

which is not built by mere people.
That body originates/comes from God without any help from people.
People are not involved at all in making that eternal body.

not built by human hands: Usually people make tents and buildings. But this phrase indicates that God makes an eternal body for each of us to live in. Other ways to translate this are:

a house not made with hands (RSV)

made for us by God himself and not by human hands (NLT)

a home he himself has made (GNT)

which people had no part in making

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἴδαμεν Γάρ ὅτι ἐάν ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους καταλυθῇ οἰκοδομήν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἔχομεν οἰκίαν ἀχειροποίητον αἰώνιον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς)

Here, the word For could introduce: (1) an explanation of what Paul said in [4:18](../04/18.md). Alternate translation: [In fact,] (2) an example or illustration of what Paul said in [4:18](../04/18.md). Alternate translation: [For example,] (3) a basis for what Paul said in [4:18](../04/18.md). Alternate translation: [That is because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

οἴδαμεν & ἡμῶν & ἔχομεν

˱we˲_˓have˒_known & ˱of˲_us & ˱we˲_˓are˒_having

Here and throughout this chapter, Paul uses the first person plural. See the chapter introduction for more information on how to translate these words. Here, the words we and our could refer to: (1) just Paul and his fellow workers. Paul is focusing on himself and his fellow workers, but he does not mean to exclude the Corinthians entirely. Alternate translation: [we who preach the gospel … our … we have] (2) Paul and everyone who believes, including the Corinthians. Alternate translation: [all of us know … our … we have]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

ἐὰν

Here, the word if could introduce: (1) something that Paul thinks will definitely happen, but he is not sure when. Alternate translation: [whenever] (2) something that Paul thinks might happen. Alternate translation: [even if]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους καταλυθῇ, οἰκοδομὴν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἔχομεν, οἰκίαν ἀχειροποίητον αἰώνιον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

the earthly ˱of˲_us house ˱of˲_the tent ˓may_be˒_torn_down (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἴδαμεν Γάρ ὅτι ἐάν ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους καταλυθῇ οἰκοδομήν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἔχομεν οἰκίαν ἀχειροποίητον αἰώνιον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς)

Here Paul speaks as if a person’s body were a house, tent, or building in which that the person lives. This was a common way to refer to a person’s body in Paul’s culture. He identifies the current body as a tent that is torn down, because this body will die. He describes the body that a person will have when God resurrects them as a building from God and an eternal house that is not made with hands. This is an important metaphor in [5:1–9](../05/01.md), so preserve the house, tent, and building language if possible. If it would be helpful, you could use a simile or identify the house in another natural way. Alternate translation: [our earthly house of this tent, that is, our mortal body, is torn down, we have a building from God, that is, our resurrection body, an eternal house in the heavens, not made with hands]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους καταλυθῇ

the earthly ˱of˲_us house ˱of˲_the tent ˓may_be˒_torn_down

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who does the action, you could use an indefinite subject. Alternate translation: [someone tears down our earthly house of this tent]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους

the earthly ˱of˲_us house ˱of˲_the tent

Here, Paul uses the possessive form identify the earthly house as a tent. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural form. Alternate translation: [our earthly house, which is a tent,]

Note 7 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους καταλυθῇ, οἰκοδομὴν & οἰκίαν & αἰώνιον

Here and throughout [5:1–8](../05/01.md), Paul uses the singular form to refer to “bodies” in general, sometimes described as buildings or clothing. See the chapter introduction for more information. Consider what would be natural in your language and use that form throughout these verses. Alternate translation: [our earthly houses of these tents are torn down … buildings … eternal houses]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

in the heavens

Many people in Paul’s culture believed that the space that they called “heaven” contained multiple layers or spheres of individual heavens. Here Paul refers to how the eternal house can be found in the heavens. Since Paul does not include details about the heavens, translate heavens with a word or phrase that refers to all of heavenly space, including the idea of multiple heavens if possible. Alternate translation: [in the heavenly realm] or [in the heavenly spaces]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

ἀχειροποίητον

not_hand_made

Here, the word hands refers to the main part of the body that we use to make things. So, the phrase refers to the whole person who makes things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could clarify that hands refers to “humans” in general, not just their hands. Alternate translation: [not made by humans] or [not made by people]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἀχειροποίητον

not_hand_made

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [which hands did not make]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear 2 COR 5:1

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 5:1–10: The promise of life in heaven

5:1a

5:1b

5:1c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 2 COR 5:1

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 5:1–10: The promise of life in heaven

5:1a

5:1b

5:1c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 2 COR 5:1