- 1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
- 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
- 3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
- 4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
- 5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
- 6Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
- 7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
- 8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
- 9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
- 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
- 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
- 12For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
- 13For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
- 14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
- 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
- 16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
- 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
- 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
- 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
- 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
KING JAMES VERSION
2 CORINTHIANS 5
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
2 Corinthians 5 — Walking by faith, believers live for Christ, await His judgment, and carry the message of reconciliation as new creation.
About this illustration
Tent, enduring city, bridge, reconciled neighbors, ambassadors, and the risen Christ’s bema form a disclosed composite. The tribunal is solemn but non-graphic, and the Father is not depicted.
Scripture basis: 2 Corinthians 5:1–21King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchitecture
Early Roman imperial period, principally first century AD
Corinth Tribunal (Bema)
A monumental marble-faced rostra in Corinth's Roman forum provides the civic setting for public address and adjudication described in Acts 18, though archaeology cannot identify the precise spot where Paul stood.
Acts 18:12–17 · 2 Corinthians 5:10
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Seventh century AD (palaeographic date)
Papyrus P34: Fragments of 1 and 2 Corinthians
Papyrus P34 is a seventh-century Greek papyrus fragment from a Pauline manuscript, held in Vienna as P.Vindob. G 39784. It preserves 1 Corinthians 16:4–7, 10 and 2 Corinthians 5:18–21; 10:13–14; 11:2, 4, 6–7, joining practical travel instructions, reconciliation theology, and Paul's contested ministry.
1 Corinthians 16:4–7 · 1 Corinthians 16:10 · 2 Corinthians 5:18–21
Sermons
Legally Blind
Pastor Dean Odle warns that believers can become spiritually blind through pride, passivity, and failure to practice or rightly interpret Scripture. Moving from James 1 and Jesus' confrontations with the Pharisees to Paul's pastoral commands and Christ's rebuke of Laodicea, he urges humility, careful study, prayer, and honest self-examination. Odle applies the warning to disputes over salvation, spiritual gifts, women in ministry, and biblical creation, attributing deception to isolated proof texts and resistance to correction. He closes from 2 Corinthians 5 with the judgment seat of Christ, a call to be reconciled to God, and a prayer for the Holy Spirit to open believers' eyes.
Doctrine and DiscernmentApostasy and DeceptionChristian LivingScripture Alone
View sermon The Book of Enoch
In “The Book of Enoch,” Pastor Dean Odle begins a series examining whether 1 Enoch should be received as genuine prophecy. He does not argue that it must be added to the biblical canon. Instead, he proposes that its claims should be judged by the written Word and the witness of the Holy Spirit, appealing especially to Genesis 5:21-24, Hebrews 11:5-6, and Jude 14-15. Jude’s attribution of a judgment prophecy to “Enoch the seventh from Adam” is the sermon’s central biblical basis.
Doctrine and DiscernmentApostasy and DeceptionBible ProphecySpiritual Warfare
View sermon Few Things are as they Appear
In “Few Things Are as They Appear,” Pastor Dean Odle urges believers to distrust prideful first impressions and seek discernment from God. Romans 12:3 and 1 Corinthians 8:2 warn against thinking too highly of oneself or assuming complete knowledge. Through Acts 16 and ministry experiences, Odle argues that apparently religious people, opportunities, and messages may conceal manipulation, false doctrine, predatory intent, or spiritual danger.
Doctrine and DiscernmentApostasy and DeceptionChristian LivingChurch and Ministry
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons
Music
Come Honestly
A Scripture-rich gospel appeal to come to Jesus without pretense: confessing sin, trusting His crucifixion and resurrection, receiving salvation by grace through faith, and following Him in repentance and new life.
Legally Blind
A sober prayer for spiritual sight that confronts self-deception, religious pride, shallow Bible reading, and blind leadership—calling believers to receive correction, obey the Word, examine their hearts, and be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
The Great Delusion
A cinematic release inviting listeners to examine the biblical warnings concerning deception and discernment.