A mini-study of 2 Corinthians 5 - something to ponder during this Passover week

2 Corinthians 5:1. For we know that, if our house on earth,[1] this of the body, were dissolved, yet we have a building of Elohim, a house not made with hands,[2] eternal in heaven. 2. And on this account also, we groan, and wish to be clothed with our house from heaven: 3. If indeed, when clothed, we will not be found naked. 4. For while we are here in this house, we groan under its burden; yet you desire not to throw it off; but to be clothed over it, so that its mortality may be absorbed in life.

5. And he that prepares us for this thing is Elohim: who has given us the earnestness of His Spirit. 6. Therefore, because we know and are persuaded, that while we lodge in the body we sojourn away from our Master (Y’shua); 7. For we walk[3] by faith, and not by sight; 8. Therefore we are confident, and desirous to be away from the body, and to be with our Master (Y’shua). 9. We are constantly attentive, that whether we are absent, or whether at home, we may please him. (AENT)

NOTES:

[1] In Hebrew and Aramaic thought, each major facet of the human condition dwells in a house. Here then we should contrast Rav Shaul’s imagery of our house on Earth with that of the opening chapter of Galatians, where he speaks of Y’shua being raised from the house of the dead! Such imagery is certainly implied in the next three lines of this chapter.

[2] Another parallel between Rav Shaul’s writing here and the Epistle to the Hebrews. The phrase, “not made with human hands” only appears in three places in the NT. One is given by Mar Stephen, and the fact that he dies just after making this statement, effectively eliminates him as potential writer for that Epistle.

The other two references, excepting this one, are in Hebrews 9:11 and 24. The context and subject are the same in each place. The fact that Rav Shaul was one of those present and “approving Stephen’s death” adds more weight to the conclusion that the author of Hebrews is, in fact, Rav Shaul. From an Aramaic point of view, these phrases appear as a signature aspect of the same author.

[3] The word “walk” here is the Hebrew “halacha” (religious laws that guide day-to-day life of believers).  To say then “walk of faith” is to impart a more direct imprinting of the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit) than, for example, rabbinic halacha, or the theological or doctrinal teaching of any other man-made religion. The difference is, of course, the source.

The Ruach (Spirit) of YHWH is certainly always superior to the rulings and traditions of men!  To walk by Faith and not by sight is to allow the Ruach haKodesh to write Torah (Divine Instructions in Righteousness) upon the heart. Man-made traditions, whether Jewish or Christian, are, more often than not, a major deterrent to the indwelling of the Ruach haKodesh and the willingness to observe the Torah of YHWH.

(Continuation)

2 Corinthians 5:10. For we are all to stand before the judgment-seat of the Mashiyach, that each may receive retribution in the body, (for) what he has done in it, whether of good, or whether of evil. 11. Therefore because we know the Fear of our Master (Y’shua)[4] we persuade men; and we are made manifest to Elohim; and I hope also, we are revealed to your minds.

12. We do not again praise ourselves to you;[5] but we give you occasion to glory in us, toward them who glory in appearance and not in heart. 13. For if we are extravagant, it is for Elohim: and if we are discreet, it is for you. 14. For the love of the Mashiyach constrains us to reason in this manner: One died for all; therefore, are all dead. 15. And he died for all, that they who live should not live to themselves but to him who died for them and rose again. 16. And therefore, we know no person after the flesh: and if we have known the Mashiyach after the flesh, yet from now on we know (him) no more.

17. Whoever therefore is in the Mashiyach, is a new creature: old things have passed away; 18. And all things are made new, by Elohim; who has reconciled us to himself by the Mashiyach, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 19. For Elohim was in the Mashiyach,[6] who has reconciled the world with his majesty and did not reckon to them their sins; and who has placed in us the Word of reconciliation.

20. We are therefore ambassadors for the Mashiyach, and it is as if Elohim was pleading you by us. In behalf of the Mashiyach, therefore, we plead to you to be reconciled to Elohim; 21. For, on your account, He has made him who knew no sin to be a sin (offering) that we might by him become the righteousness[7] of Elohim. (AENT)

NOTES:

[4] Y’shua demonstrated the Fear of YHWH to his disciples. It is Mashiyach Y’shua who judges for YHWH (Shemot/Exodus 23:20-22; John 5:22).

[5] Literally “(make) good our souls to you.” In other words, we did not each uplift the nefesh/soul of ourselves to you. The nefesh (Aram. napshah) is the life force and personality, but salvation comes from the Ruach of YHWH.

Therefore, we are not uplifted by our human life force but by the eternal spark of our Creator. The idea that Y’shua uplifted his nefesh, is a false accusation of the Pharisees. The fact is, YHWH uplifted Y’shua’s nefesh, as he will also do on the Last Day for those who believe upon Him and live according to the One True Faith.

[6] Ref Isaiah 11: 1 But a branch will emerge from the trunk of Yishai, a shoot will grow from his roots. 2 The Spirit of Adonai will rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and fearing Adonai — 3 he will be inspired by fearing Adonai. (CJB)

[7] To “become the righteousness of Elohim” means to demonstrate Mashiyach to the world, which means we do not go through life breaking YHWH’s Commandments.