2 Corinthians 5:8 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓]
2 Corinthians 5:8, NIV: We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.2 Corinthians 5:8, ESV: Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8, KJV: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8, NASB: but we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8, NLT: Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8, CSB: In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
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The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.
What does 2 Corinthians 5:8 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]
This is a poignant, soul-baring moment from the apostle Paul. He is not suicidal, but he is honest about his deepest desires. He would rather be with the Lord than in his mortal, burdened, groaning, dying body. For the first time in this chapter, he describes being in his future, eternal body with Christ as being "at home." He is utterly convinced that it is where he is headed. Heaven is where he is meant to be forever. Paul's faith that the glory of his eternal life will far outweigh and outlast the suffering of earthly life makes him want that life more than this one. Of course it does. How could it not?That same faith, though, gives him courage. Knowing his eternal fate is secure gives him fearlessness to keep going in this life. It emboldens Paul to stay on the path God has called him to. He is not actively seeking death; he is simply ready to go whenever God calls him home. Until then, he will keep working at what God has given him to do in the here and now.