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2 Corinthians 5:1
In 2 Corinthians 5:1 the Apostle Paul speaks of our physical body/“earthly house” as a “tent,” which by definition is “a collapsible shelter of material…” (Merriam-Webster) and is reflective of our physical bodies – “a collapsible shelter of material.” Paul says that “if” our earthly house/physical body is destroyed (as is reflective of his statement in 2 Corinthians 4:16b of the “outward man” that is perishing), we have an eternal house/body in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1d-f).
This is a promise of a heavenly body whenever our earthly body is destroyed.
The Apostle Paul has explained the natural body and the spiritual body in 1 Corinthians 15 and states in 1 Corinthians 15:44 (NKJV), “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” He continues in 1 Corinthians 15:46-58,
“However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” [Isaiah 25:8]
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?” [Hosea 13:14]
“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Sometimes there is no better explanation for the interpretation of the Bible than the Bible itself; sometimes the actual words of the Prophets and Apostles are the interpretation for themselves. Thus is the case for today’s Bible study – there is simply no way of explaining it better or in a more understandable way than the explanation given by the Apostle Paul. I hope and pray that God will open your hearts and minds to this realization and understanding of salvation in Christ Jesus so you too will see the wonderful things that the LORD has done/and is doing for us – In Christ!
Dear LORD,
All the teachings of the Bible – Your Word – is to lead us to the gift of having a relationship with You and a new eternal body in heaven. This is only possible through obedience to You – to the realization and understanding of Your Word and of how we are to implement the teachings of the Bible in/into our lives. I pray dear LORD that this Bible study will help people all over the world do these things – In Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.