A Narrative on 2 Corinthians 5:8 According to the Amplified Bible (AMP)
Karl McKinnie (LION)
Senior Executive Partner/Managing Partner/Sales/Business Development Director
A Narrative on 2 Corinthians 5:8 According to the Amplified Bible (AMP)
"For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].”
Introduction
The loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences we face in life. It brings grief, sadness, and a deep sense of loss. Yet, for believers in Christ, there is a comforting truth that offers hope in the midst of sorrow. This hope is grounded in the promise of eternal life and the assurance that, when we leave this earthly body, we are immediately present with the Lord. This is the heart of 2 Corinthians 5:8, a verse that speaks directly to the confidence and peace that believers can have regarding their eternal destiny. As I remember the life of our beloved Aunt, Jewell Stamper, who passed away at the age of 90 (October, 6th 1933 - August, 24th 2024), this scripture serves as a reminder of the hope we have in Christ and the comfort of knowing that she is now in the presence of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (AMP): 2 Corinthians 5:8 (AMP): "We are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
Context of 2 Corinthians 5:8
The Apostle Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to address various issues within the Corinthian church, including matters of faith, ministry, and the Christian hope of eternal life. In Chapter 5, Paul reflects on the transient nature of our earthly existence and the assurance of our eternal home with the Lord. He contrasts our earthly bodies, which are described as temporary "tents," with the eternal dwelling that God has prepared for us in heaven. Paul acknowledges that while we are still in our earthly bodies, we live by faith, not by sight, longing for the day when we will be clothed with our heavenly bodies and fully experience the presence of God.
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (AMP): "So then, being always filled with good courage and confident hope, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]."
In verse 8, Paul expresses his confident hope and courage, affirming that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This assurance is rooted in the believer’s faith in Christ’s promises and the hope of eternal life.
Detailed Exploration of 2 Corinthians 5:8
The Confidence of Eternal Life
Key Phrase: "We are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope..."
Paul begins this verse by reaffirming the courage and confident hope that believers have in the face of death. This courage is not based on human strength but on the certainty of God’s promises. For Paul, and for all believers, death is not something to be feared, but rather a transition to a more glorious existence. This confidence is grounded in the assurance that Jesus has conquered death and has prepared a place for us in His presence.
John 14:2-3 (AMP): "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again, and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also."
Jesus’ words in John 14 provide the foundation for the believer’s confidence. He has gone ahead to prepare a place for us, and His promise to return and take us to be with Him offers immense comfort and hope.
The Desire to Be with the Lord
Key Phrase: "...and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
Paul expresses a deep longing to be with the Lord, recognizing that to be absent from the body is to be present with Him. This reflects the Christian understanding that death is not the end, but rather a doorway to eternal life in the presence of God. For believers, the true home is not here on earth, but with the Lord in heaven. This desire to be with the Lord is a natural response to the believer’s relationship with Christ and the hope of eternal life.
Philippians 1:21-23 (AMP): "For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity]. If, however, it is to be life here and I am to go on living, this will mean useful and productive service for me; so I do not know which to choose [if I am given that choice]. But I am hard-pressed between the two. I have the desire to leave this world and be with Christ, for that is far, far better."
In Philippians, Paul echoes the same sentiment, expressing his desire to depart and be with Christ, which he considers to be "far better" than remaining in the earthly body. This desire reflects the deep love and longing that believers have for their Savior.
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The Assurance of Being "at Home" with the Lord
Key Phrase: "...to be at home with the Lord."
The phrase "at home with the Lord" conveys a sense of belonging, peace, and fulfillment that can only be found in God’s presence. For believers, death is not a loss but a gain, as it brings them into the eternal presence of God, where they experience the fullness of His love, joy, and peace. The assurance of being "at home" with the Lord provides comfort in the face of loss, knowing that our loved ones who have passed away in Christ are now in their true home, free from pain, suffering, and the limitations of this world.
Revelation 21:3-4 (AMP): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘See! The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them [as their God,] and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.’"
This passage from Revelation paints a beautiful picture of what it means to be "at home" with the Lord. It is a place where there is no more death, sorrow, or pain, only the eternal joy of being in God’s presence.
The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:8 for Today’s Believers
For today’s believers, 2 Corinthians 5:8 offers a message of hope and comfort, especially in times of loss. This verse reassures us that death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life with the Lord. When a loved one who is in Christ passes away, we can take comfort in knowing that they are now in the presence of God, experiencing the fullness of His glory and peace.
Summary
2 Corinthians 5:8, as interpreted in the Amplified Bible, offers a powerful message of hope and confidence for believers facing the reality of death. In this verse, the Apostle Paul expresses his deep longing to be with the Lord, affirming that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This assurance is rooted in the believer’s faith in Christ and the promise of eternal life. For Paul, death is not something to be feared but a transition to a more glorious existence in God’s presence.
For today’s believers, this verse provides immense comfort, especially in times of loss. It reminds us that our loved ones who have passed away in Christ are now "at home with the Lord," experiencing the fullness of His love, peace, and joy. This hope is not based on wishful thinking but on the promises of God, who has prepared a place for us in His eternal kingdom.
The phrase "at home with the Lord" conveys a deep sense of belonging and peace, reminding us that our true home is not in this world but in God’s presence. This truth encourages us to live our lives with courage and purpose, knowing that our ultimate destination is secure. It also provides comfort in grief, as we are reassured that those who have died in Christ are now in the presence of their Savior, free from pain and sorrow.
As I remember my beloved Aunt Jewell Stamper, who has gone to be with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:8 offers a message of hope and peace. While her absence may bring sorrow, I am taking comfort, as we all should, in knowing that she is now "at home with the Lord," experiencing the eternal joy and rest that God has promised to all who love Him. This verse reminds us that death is not the end, but a doorway to eternal life in the presence of our loving God. My cousin, Shannon Stamper, told me that this past Friday Night Aunt Jewell was up all night yelling “Hello,” it is my firm and solemn belief that Our Lord was preparing her for her “home with Him” and she was greeting those she loved who had gone on before her. Selah!
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