A house not made with hands

1For 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. 2Here indeed we groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3so that by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4For while we are still in this tent, we sigh with anxiety; not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 105.10: Mt 16.27.For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body.

For the glory of God

11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 125.12: 2 Cor 3.1.We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who pride themselves on a man's position and not on his heart. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 145.14: Rom 5.15; 6.6-7.For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

A new creation

16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard him thus no longer. 175.17: Rom 16.7; Gal 6.15.Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation;5.17 Or creature the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 185.18: 1 Cor 11.12; Col 1.20; Rom 5.10.All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling5.19 Or God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Ambassadors for Christ

205.20: Eph 6.20.So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 215.21: Heb 4.15; 7.25; 1 Pet 2.22; 1 Jn 3.5; Acts 3.14.For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.