Read 2 Corinthians 5 at Bible Gateway.
My plan was to go on to 2 Cor 6 today, but then I uncovered another chiastic structure in 2 Cor 5, which is:
2 Cor 5:1-10
1a) 2 Cor 5:1-5, If the earthly body is destroyed, we will not be found naked but clothed with our heavenly body;
1b) 2 Cor 5:6, We are confident that at home in the body is to be absent from the Lord;
central axis) 2 Cor 5:7, For we walk by faith, not by sight;
2b) 2 Cor 5:8, We are confident that absent from the body is to be present with the Lord;
2a) 2 Cor 5:9-10, Let us be well pleasing to Him since we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
What stood out to me was the A pair. Paul is not talking about this age, when we are present in the body. The time is coming when all will be absent from the body and standing before the judgment seat of Christ. Perhaps that time will be when the things of this earth are destroyed. Be that as it may, it seems that people will be in two states before the judgment seat of Christ – either clothed or unclothed. Not unclothed with clothes for an earthly body, but as an eternal spirit, without either the earthly body or the heavenly one prepared for us by God. That is a terrifying prospect!
But even those who are found to be further clothed will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, for that is what “all” means. But what will be the judgment of the further clothed?
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” Joh 5:24
“Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.” Mat 25:14-30
The parable of the unprofitable servant has to do with the judgment seat. The landowner, after a long time, returned to settle accounts with his servants. Settling accounts involves rendering judgment. The judgment for the further clothed, is “Well done!”
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