2 Corinthians 5:1

Living by Faith, Not by Sight

5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, ¹  is dismantled, ²  we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens.

2 Corinthians 10:8

10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us ³  for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. ⁴ 

2 Corinthians 13:10

13:10 Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive ⁵  I may not have to deal harshly with you ⁶  by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

[5:1]  ¹ sn The expression the tent we live in refers to “our earthly house, our body.” Paul uses the metaphor of the physical body as a house or tent, the residence of the immaterial part of a person.

[5:1]  ² tn Or “destroyed.”

[10:8]  ³ tn The word “us” is not in the Greek text but is supplied. Indirect objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[10:8]  ⁴ tn Grk “I will not be put to shame,” “I will not be ashamed.” The words “of doing so” are supplied to clarify for the reader that Paul will not be ashamed of boasting somewhat more about the authority the Lord gave him (beginning of v. 8).

[13:10]  ⁵ tn Grk “when I am present,” but in the context of Paul’s third (upcoming) visit to Corinth, this is better translated as “when I arrive.”

[13:10]  ⁶ tn The words “with you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.