2 Corinthians 5:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Whether in this life or the next, our aim is to be well-pleasing to the Lord.
What Does 2 Corinthians 5:9 Mean?
From his longing to be with the Lord, Paul draws a practical resolve. Whether 'present' in the body or 'absent' from it, his ambition is the same: to be pleasing to Christ. The word for 'labour' carries the sense of making it one's aim or ambition.
Hope does not make the believer passive. The certainty of being with the Lord fuels a desire to please Him here and now. To aim at His approval in every condition is the natural fruit of loving Him. The future shapes the present, turning assurance into wholehearted devotion.
2 Corinthians 5:9 in the Original Language
philotimeomai (φιλοτιμέομαι), 'labour' -- to make it one's ambition or aspire earnestly toward a goal.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 5:9
What does 2 Corinthians 5:9 mean?
Whether in this life or the next, our aim is to be well-pleasing to the Lord.