1 For we know that ifk2 Pet. 1:13, 14 the tent, which islSee ch. 4:7 our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God,mMark 14:58 a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tentnRom. 8:23 we groan, longing too[1 Cor. 15:53, 54] put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortalp1 Cor. 15:54 may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God,q[Rom. 8:23]; See ch. 1:22 who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always of good courage. We know thatr[Heb. 11:13, 14] while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 fors[John 20:29]; See ch. 4:18 we walk by faith, nott1 Cor. 13:12 by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and weu[Phil. 1:23] would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim tov[Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 4:1] please him. 10 ForwMatt. 25:31, 32; [Rom. 14:10]; See Acts 10:42 we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,xSee Ps. 62:12 so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
11 Therefore, knowingy[Job 31:23; Acts 9:31; Heb. 10:31; Jude 23] the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. Butzch. 4:2 what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 aSee ch. 3:1 We are not commending ourselves to you again butb[ch. 1:14] giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if wecch. 11:1, 16, 17; 12:6, 11 are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of ChristdActs 18:5 controls us, because we have concluded this: thateRom. 5:15 one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all,f[Rom. 6:11, 12]; See Rom. 14:7 that those who live might no longer live for themselves butg[ch. 12:10] for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore,h[Gal. 2:6; Phil. 3:7, 8; Col. 2:11; 1 Tim. 5:21] we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone isich. 12:2; Rom. 16:7; Gal. 1:22 in Christ, he isj[John 3:3]; See Rom. 6:4 a new creation.1Or creaturekIsa. 43:18, 19; Rev. 21:5; [Isa. 65:17; Eph. 2:15; 4:24; Heb. 8:13] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God,lCol. 1:20; See Rom. 5:10; 1 John 2:2 who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave usmRom. 5:11 the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling1Or God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself,nPs. 32:2; Rom. 4:8 not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to usm[See ver. 18 above] the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore,oEph. 6:20; [Mal. 2:7; Gal. 4:14] we are ambassadors for Christ,pch. 6:1 God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 qRom. 8:3; Gal. 3:13; See Rom. 4:25 For our sake he made him to be sinrSee 1 Pet. 2:22 who knew no sin, so that in him we might becomesSee Rom. 1:17; 1 Cor. 1:30 the righteousness of God.