2 Corinthians 5:4

4. After σκήνει omit τούτῳ with אBCKLP, Arm. against DFG and most versions.

4. καὶ γὰρ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ σκήνει. After the explanatory remark in 2 Corinthians 5:3 he returns to 2 Corinthians 5:2 : For verily (as in 2 Corinthians 5:2), or For indeed (R.V.), we that are in the tabernacle (the one mentioned before) do groan, being (= because) burdened: comp. 2 Corinthians 1:8. This seems to refer to all Christians, not to the Apostles or ministers only; see on 2 Corinthians 5:1.

ἐφʼ ᾦ οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσαθαι. Because (Romans 5:12) we do not wish to be unclothed; or, wherefore (Philippians 3:12) we do not wish to be unclothed. As in Philippians 3:12 (see Lightfoot’s note), either ‘because’ or ‘wherefore’ makes sense; but here ‘because’ makes the better sense. The thought that he may be ‘unclothed,’ i.e. lose his body, before the Lord returns, is painful to the Apostle, and makes him groan. He would much rather live to see the Second Advent, and have the resurrection body put on him without dying. Such a feeling was natural to one who believed the Second Advent to be near. The direct transition from life to a higher life seemed to be much happier than the transition from life through death and resurrection to the higher life. See the remarkable parallel 2Es 13:24; also Tertul. De Resur. Carn. 41 ff. The A.V. puts the ‘not’ in the wrong place: οὐ must go with θέλομεν. For the play on words comp. 2 Corinthians 1:13.

ἵνα καταποθῇ τὸ θνητὸν ὑπὸ τῆς ζωῆς. That what is mortal (in us) may be swallowed up (2 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:54) by life; i.e. that our bodies, instead of being separated from us by death, may be transfigured and glorified by life, through the absorption of all that is perishable. Comp. Isaiah 25:8. In the Book of Enoch this feeling takes the form of a desire to be translated to the Kingdom of Heaven, without consideration of the body; but there is the same confidence as to the future life in glory: “Here I wished to dwell, and my soul longed for that dwelling-place: here already heretofore had been my portion, for so has it been established concerning me before the Lord of Spirits” (xxxix. 8; comp. lxxi. 14, xc. 31).