2 COR 5:4 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) because while we live in these temporary homes we are groaning. It’s not that we want to dispose of these temporary homes, but we want to be permanently clothed so that our mortal parts might be enveloped by life.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For indeed, we, the ones being in this tent, groan, being burdened, because of which we do not want to be unclothed, but to be fully clothed so that the mortal may be swallowed up by the life.

UST Even further, while we have these bodies that are like tents, we mourn, and these bodies make living difficult. Because of that, it is not that we want to be without bodies, which would be like having no clothes. Rather, we want to receive new bodies, which will be like putting on new clothes. That way, we will live forever instead of expecting to die.

BSB For [while] we are in [this] tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that [our] mortality may be swallowed up by life.

BLB And indeed, being in the tent we groan, being burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that the mortal may be swallowed up by life.

AICNT For indeed, we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that the mortal may be swallowed up by life.

OEB For we who are in this tent sigh under our burden, unwilling to take it off, yet wishing to put our heavenly body over it, so that all that is mortal may be absorbed in life.

WEBBE For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

LSV for we also who are in the tent groan, being burdened, seeing we do not wish to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves, that the mortal may be swallowed up of life.

FBV While we are in this “tent” we sigh, being weighed down by this life. It's not so much that we want to take off the clothing of this life but that we look forward to what we shall be clothed with, so that what is mortal may be overwhelmed by life.

TCNT For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

T4T It is true that while we are still living in these bodies [MET] that do not last forever, we often groan [DOU] because we desire to be free from them. We are not longing to be without a body. Instead, we groan because we desire to receive our new bodies [MET] in heaven. We long for this to happen so that these bodies that are going to die some day will suddenly be changed into bodies that will live forever.

LEB For indeed we who are in this tent groan, being burdened _⌊for this reason, that_⌋[fn] we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

5:4 Literally “in that”

BBE For 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.

Moff I do sigh within this tent of mine with heavy anxiety — not that I want to be stripped, no, but to be under the cover of the other, to have my mortal element absorbed by life.

Wymth Yes, we who are in this tent certainly do sigh under our burdens, for we do not wish to lay aside that with which we are now clothed, but to put on more, so that our mortality may be absorbed in Life.

ASV For 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.

DRA For 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.

YLT for 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.

Drby For 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.

RV For 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.

SLT For also being in the tent we groan, being loaded: since we wish not to be unclothed, but to be clothed, that the mortal should be swallowed up of life.

Wbstr For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not because we would be unclothed, but clothed, that mortality might be swallowed up in life.

KJB-1769 For 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.

KJB-1611 For, we that are in this tabernacle, doe grone, being burdened, not for that wee would bee vnclothed, but clothed vpon, that mortalitie might bee swallowed vp of life.
(For, we that are in this tabernacle, do grone, being burdened, not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortalitie might be swallowed up of life.)

Bshps For we that are in this tabernacle sigh, & being burdened because we would not be vnclothed, but would be clothed vpo, that mortalitie might be swalowed vp of lyfe.
(For we that are in this tabernacle sigh, and being burdened because we would not be unclothed, but would be clothed upo, that mortalitie might be swallowed up of life.)

Gnva For in deede we that are in this tabernacle, sigh and are burdened, because we would not be vnclothed, but would be clothed vpon, that mortalitie might be swalowed vp of life.
(For indeed we that are in this tabernacle, sigh and are burdened, because we would not be unclothed, but would be clothed upon, that mortalitie might be swallowed up of life. )

Cvdl For as longe as we are in this tabernacle, we sighe and are greued, for we had rather not be vnclothed, but to be clothed vpon, that mortalite might be swalowed vp of life.
(For as long as we are in this tabernacle, we sighe and are grieved, for we had rather not be unclothed, but to be clothed upon, that mortalite might be swallowed up of life.)

TNT For as longe as we are in this tabernacle we sigh and are greved for we wold not be vnclothed but wolde be clothed apon that mortalite myght be swalowed vp of lyfe.
(For as long as we are in this tabernacle we sigh and are greved for we wold not be unclothed but would be clothed upon that mortalite might be swallowed up of life. )

Wycl For whi and we that ben in this tabernacle, sorewen with ynne, and ben heuyed, for that we wolen not be spuylid, but be clothid aboue; that the ilke thing that is deedli, be sopun vp of lijf.
(For why and we that been in this tabernacle, sorewen within, and been heuyed, for that we woollen not be spuylid, but be clothed above; that the ilke thing that is deedli, be sopun up of life.)

Luth Denn dieweil wir in der Hütte sind, sehnen wir uns und sind beschweret, sintemal wir wollten lieber nicht entkleidet, sondern überkleidet werden, auf daß das Sterbliche würde verschlungen von dem Leben.
(Because meanwhile we/us in the/of_the hut/cabin are, yearn we/us us/to_us/ourselves and are beschweret, since we/us wanted love(v) not entkleidet, rather abovekleidet become, on/in/to that the Sterbliche would devoured from to_him life.)

ClVg Nam et qui sumus in hoc tabernaculo, ingemiscimus gravati: eo quod nolumus expoliari, sed supervestiri, ut absorbeatur quod mortale est, a vita.[fn]
(For/Surely and who/which we_are in/into/on this tabernacle, ingemiscimus gravati: by_him that nolumus expoliari, but supervestiri, as absorbeatur that mortale it_is, from life. )

5.4 Qui sumus in tabernaculo. Qui habitationem hujus corporis diligimus, de quo non est curandum, cum non sit tabernaculum nisi ad tempus, ingemiscimus desiderio cœlestis. Nos dico gravati, quasi dicat: Non mirum, si ingemiscimus: quia a beatitudine sumus remoti. Nam etiam de hoc minori gemimus, quia hoc corpore exuimur. Eo. Id est, ideo gemimus. Quod nolumus exspoliari, si hoc posset fieri. Vel, ingemiscimus, desiderio cœlestis. Deus autem hoc effecit. Vel, nolumus exspoliari: Deus tamen effecit ut immortalitatem desideremus. Ut absorbeatur, etc. Ita ut nusquam sit mortalitas. Non infra, non supra, non intra, non extra. Absorpta est enim mors in victoria.

5.4 Who we_are in/into/on tabernacle. Who housing of_this body diligimus, from/about where not/no it_is carendum, when/with not/no be tabernacle except to time/season, ingemiscimus desire heavenly. We I_mean/say gravati, as_if let_him_say: Not/No strange, when/but_if ingemiscimus: because from happiness we_are remoti. For/Surely also from/about this minor gemimus, because this body exuimur. Eo. That it_is, therefore/for_that_reason gemimus. That nolumus exspoliari, when/but_if this could to_be_done. Or, ingemiscimus, desire heavenly. God however this effecit. Or, nolumus exspoliari: God nevertheless effecit as immortalitatem desideremus. As absorbeatur, etc. Ita as nowhere be mortality. Not/No infra, not/no above, not/no inside, not/no outside. Absorpta it_is because death in/into/on victory.

UGNT καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει, στενάζομεν, βαρούμενοι ἐφ’ ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ’ ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς.
(kai gar hoi ontes en tōi skaʸnei, stenazomen, baroumenoi ef’ hō ou thelomen ekdusasthai, all’ ependusasthai, hina katapothaʸ to thnaʸton hupo taʸs zōaʸs.)

SBL-GNT καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι ἐφʼ ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι ἀλλʼ ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς.
(kai gar hoi ontes en tōi skaʸnei stenazomen baroumenoi efʼ hō ou thelomen ekdusasthai allʼ ependusasthai, hina katapothaʸ to thnaʸton hupo taʸs zōaʸs.)

RP-GNT Καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι· ἐφ' ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ' ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς.
(Kai gar hoi ontes en tōi skaʸnei stenazomen baroumenoi; ef' hō ou thelomen ekdusasthai, all' ependusasthai, hina katapothaʸ to thnaʸton hupo taʸs zōaʸs.)

TC-GNT Καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι· [fn]ἐφ᾽ ᾧ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπενδύσασθαι, ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς.
(Kai gar hoi ontes en tōi skaʸnei stenazomen baroumenoi; ef hō ou thelomen ekdusasthai, all ependusasthai, hina katapothaʸ to thnaʸton hupo taʸs zōaʸs. )

5:4 εφ ω ¦ επειδη ST

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN 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

5:4a

So while we are in this tent,

For also, while we^(incl) are in this earthly tent,
While we temporarily live here on earth,
Furthermore, during the time we live in this earthly body like a tent,

So: The Greek phrase is literally “for also.” The words “For also” indicate that Paul explained further about what he wrote in 5:2. Other ways to translate this Greek phrase are:

For indeed (NASB)

…indeed (REB)

Some languages can allow the context to imply the connection and do not need to translate these Greek words.

while we are in this tent: This clause continues the metaphor of the earthly body being like a tent. Paul explained why he groaned and felt burdened in 5:4b–c.

5:4b

we groan under our burdens,

we groan and have difficulties/troubles,
we often sigh and are troubled,
we groan and many things burden us.

we groan under our burdens: There are several ways to interpret the phrase our burdens:

This phrase refers to all difficulties while living on earth, including the difficulties Paul experienced because he was a believer and an apostle. For example:
we groan under our burden (NRSV) (BSB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, NASB, NABRE, CEV, NET, NCV, ESV, KJV)
This phrase refers only to other people causing difficulties for Paul and his coworkers because they were believers and apostles. For example:
We groan…we are oppressed (REB) (GNT, REB)
This phrase refers to worries. For example:
we sigh with anxiety (RSV) (RSV, GW)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Paul has talked about more kinds of difficulties than oppression or anxiety in this book.For example: 4:16b. Thrall (p. 380) says that this phrase may refer in part to Paul’s suffering as an apostle.

Other ways to translate this phrase following interpretation (1) are:

we groan, being burdened (NASB)

we groan, and we experience many difficulties/troubles

under our burdens: In Greek this clause is passive and is literally “being burdened.” Many things, including disease, injuries, and enemies of God cause trouble. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

many things burden us

various things cause us trouble

5:4c

because we do not wish to be unclothed

in that we have no desire to be stripped of it,
insomuch as we do not want to leave our temporary bodies at death,
For we do not wish to leave this earthly body/tent and have no body,

because we do not wish to be unclothed: The metaphor of the body being like clothing continues from the previous verses. This phrase refers to the process of removing the earthly body. Paul was saying that it is not (negatively) that he wants to leave this life, but that (positively) he wants to enter into the heavenly life. For example:

it is not that we want to get rid of our earthly body, but that we want to have the heavenly one put on over us (GNT)

Other ways to translate this are:

not that we want to be stripped of our covering (NJB)

because we do not want to have the old body stripped off (REB)

For we do not want to be left without any covering

Translate the metaphor in a similar way as you did in the previous verses. For example:

Translate literally. Another example is:
for we do not desire to be unclothed
Translate it as a simile. For example:
because we do not want to be like someone who is naked
Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
because we do not want to be unclothed, namely without a body
because we do not want to die and be without that earthly body like a naked person
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
because we do not want to be without that body
because we do not want to die and be without that body

to be unclothed: This clause is passive. Death will cause the person to leave the body. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

for death to unclothe us

to die and leave the earthly tent

5:4d

but clothed,

but to be clothed with our heavenly building,
but we want God to give to us our heavenly bodies like putting clothing on us,
but we wish to receive that eternal life with its heavenly body.

but clothed: The words “we wish to be” are implied here from 5:4c. In some languages it is more natural to include the implied words. For example:

but we wish to be clothed…

clothed: These words continue the metaphor from the previous verses. Translate this in the same way as you translated it in 5:2. In some languages it is necessary to say with what Paul wanted to be clothed. For example:

but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling (NIV)

but we do want to put on the eternal house (GW)

The Greek does not have a word or phrase describing with what Paul wanted to be clothed, and many English versions do not have one either. However, it is clearly implied from 5:2b, and so a descriptive word or phrase can be supplied. Express the meaning in a way that is natural in your language.

5:4e

so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.

so that these bodies that will die will be swallowed by eternal life.
in order that life will fill the new existence completely and the mortal life will be gone.
Then this body that dies will be fully covered with life. (NCV)

so that: This connecting phrase introduces the purpose for being “clothed” with our heavenly dwelling. Another way to translate this phrase is:

in order that

our mortality may be swallowed up by life: The metaphor of swallowed up refers to eternal life completely replacing the mortality or condition of earthly life. Other ways to translate this clause are:

this mortal being/existence will be swallowed by life

what is mortal will be transformed by life (GNT)

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

eternal life may/will swallow this mortal being/existence

God will transform what is mortal into what has eternal life

In some languages translating the metaphor literally is not natural. The GNT example and the last example above translate the meaning of the metaphor. Other ways to translate this metaphor are:

our mortality may be absorbed into life immortal (REB)

this body that dies will be fully covered with life (NCV)

this mortal life will be completely taken over by eternal life as if swallowed up

life will fill the new existence completely and the earthly mortal life is gone

our mortality: This phrase indicates that the earthly bodies will die. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

these bodies that will die (CEV)

the body which is subject to death

life: Here this word refers to eternal life. It implies that the heavenly body will rule a believer’s existence in heaven.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

καὶ γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί Γάρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι ἐφʼ ᾧ οὒ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι ἀλλʼ ἐπενδύσασθαι ἵνα καταποθῇ τό θνητόν ὑπό τῆς ζωῆς)

Here, the phrase For indeed indicates that Paul is adding more information (indeed) that supports what he said in the previous two verses (For). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use words that introduce added information that supports a previous statement. Alternate translation: [Further] or [And in fact]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει & οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ’ ἐπενδύσασθαι

¬which being in the tent & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί Γάρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι ἐφʼ ᾧ οὒ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι ἀλλʼ ἐπενδύσασθαι ἵνα καταποθῇ τό θνητόν ὑπό τῆς ζωῆς)

Here Paul continues to speak of bodies as buildings and clothing. You should express the ideas as you did in [5:1–3](../05/01.md). Alternate translation: [the ones being in this tent, that is, our mortal body … we do not want to be homeless, but to have a home] or [the ones being in this tent, that is, this body … we do not want to have no body, which is like being unclothed, but to have a resurrection body, which is like being fully clothed]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

βαρούμενοι

˓being˒_weighed_down

Here Paul speaks as if he and his fellow workers were carrying a heavy burden. He means that something is making their lives difficult. The burden could be: (1) how the tent, that is, their current bodies, falls apart and dies. Alternate translation: [being distressed by it] (2) how other people’s situations make life hard for them. Alternate translation: [being troubled by many people and things] or [being oppressed]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

βαρούμενοι

˓being˒_weighed_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 did the action, Paul implies that either the tent (their mortal bodies) or other people and things did it. Make sure your translation fits with how you chose to express the metaphor in the previous note. Alternate translation: [the tent burdening us] or [many people and things burdening us]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι, ἀλλ’ ἐπενδύσασθαι

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. Paul uses the passive form to focus on the state of being unclothed or clothed rather than on whoever clothes or unclothes them, so you should avoid stating a subject for unclothed and clothed. Alternate translation: [we do not want to be naked, but to have clothes on] or [we do not want to have no clothing, but to wear clothing]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ἀλλ’ ἐπενδύσασθαι

but ˓to˒_be_clothed

This clause leaves out some words that many languages might need to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply these words from earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: [but we want to be fully clothed]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

τὸ θνητὸν

Paul is using the adjective mortal as a noun in order to refer to all bodies that are mortal. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this one with a noun phrase. Alternate translation: [the mortal bodies] or [what is mortal]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς

˓may_be˒_swallowed_up (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί Γάρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι ἐφʼ ᾧ οὒ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι ἀλλʼ ἐπενδύσασθαι ἵνα καταποθῇ τό θνητόν ὑπό τῆς ζωῆς)

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: [life may swallow up the mortal]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

καταποθῇ

˓may_be˒_swallowed_up

Here Paul refers to the mortal as if it were food that could be swallowed up. This illustrates that the mortal has been defeated as surely as if life devoured it as food. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [may be destroyed] or [may be taken over]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῆς ζωῆς

¬the life

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of life, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “live” or an adjective such as “alive.” Alternate translation: [what is alive] or [what lives]