Wednesday 4 March 2026
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (v. 1)
Background
This passage has two big themes: life after death and the judgment seat of Christ. Earlier in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul spoke of being raised to new life with Christ and new life beginning on earth and growing day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:14-17)
Now he tries to give insight into what the risen life after physical death will look like for humans. He uses images which illuminate our spiritual understanding but can’t be pushed too literally.
One image he uses is to describe the physical body as 'a tent'. Paul was a tent maker and many people at the time lived in tents. A tent is a temporary dwelling, and by contrast, when we die God will provide us with an everlasting house that no human hands have built. We will be at home with Christ, in a house that God has built.
Paul develops the imagery, now envisaging the body as clothing. Christian hope for the future is not about being a naked, disembodied spirit, but about being re-embodied, in heavenly clothing.
He goes on to explore how we are ‘works in progress’:
Everything is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit which we have been given. (v. 5) And yet we haven’t arrived yet, but we are on the way, on an earthly part of the journey. We experience the push pull factor of living in Christ’s new life, but not yet in its fullness. (v. 8) On this journey – which we have started but not completed – we live by faith, not sight (v. 7), in temporary accommodation and waiting to be clothed in our heavenly garments.
We will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our time in our earthly body. (v. 10)
If as Paul suggests in verse 9 our destination is to be at home with Christ, then perhaps we can see this stay on earth rather like being engaged to be married. An engagement period's purpose is to test out our desires, values and the strength of our love which will enable the marriage to take place. It needs a judgement call.
To Ponder:
- Do you find Paul’s images of what life after death will be like helpful or not? Do you have an image that you have found helpful?
- Do you find the idea of giving an account of your life to Christ terrifying or not, and do you find Paul’s imagery of preparing to be at home with Christ helpful or not?
- Do you have any insights to share on life after death or judgment before Christ?
Prayer
Merciful God, help us to trust in your love for us, seeing joys and challenges as making our hearts more spacious, to live a shared life with you, in your home, and dressed in your clothing. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Jenny Ellis
Jenny is a supernumerary Methodist minister. She facilitates a mindfulness community based at her local surgery and also online. She also leads quiet days and contemplative study days.