Verse
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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.
NIV We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
NASB but we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
CSB In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
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.
KJV We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
NKJV We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

What does 2 Corinthians 5:8 mean?

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.
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Context Summary
Second Corinthians 5:1–10 continues Paul's teaching from the previous chapter. The glory of eternity with Christ is far weightier than any suffering experienced in our temporary bodies in this life. Paul longs to occupy his eternal body, described as a permanent house built by God Himself. Knowing that is coming, Paul has the courage to risk even more suffering in order to continue the mission to preach the gospel. His one goal in this life is to please Christ. He knows that every Christian will face judgment by Christ, not to decide one's eternal destiny, but to receive what is due for our works while living in these temporary bodies.
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Chapter Summary
Why does Paul endure so much suffering for preaching about Christ? He continues here his discussion of eternity, comparing our earthly bodies to living in a tent. Paul would rather live in the eternal body God has prepared for those who trust in Christ, free from the groaning and burden that afflicts everyone here. With that to look forward to, he preaches with courage that all in Christ are new creations. In Christ, God is reconciling people to Himself, not counting their sin against them. Paul implores everyone to be reconciled to God in this way through faith in Christ.
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What is the Gospel?
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