1For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (可14:58; 林后4:7; 彼后1:13)2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, (羅8:23; 林前15:53)3if indeed by putting it on[1] we may not be found naked.4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (林前15:54)5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (羅8:23; 林后1:22)6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, (來11:13)7for we walk by faith, not by sight. (约20:29; 林前13:12; 林后4:18)8Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (腓1:23)9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (西1:10; 帖前4:1)10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (诗62:12; 太25:31; 徒10:42; 羅14:10)
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. (伯31:23; 徒9:31; 林后4:2; 來10:31; 犹1:23)12We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. (林后1:14; 林后3:1)13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. (林后11:1; 林后11:16; 林后12:6; 林后12:11)14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; (徒18:5; 羅5:15)15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (羅6:11; 羅14:7; 林后12:10)16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. (加2:6; 腓3:7; 西2:11; 提前5:21)17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[2] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (赛43:18; 赛65:17; 约3:3; 羅6:4; 羅16:7; 林后12:2; 加1:22; 弗2:15; 弗4:24; 來8:13; 启21:5)18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; (羅5:10; 羅5:11; 西1:20; 约一2:2)19that is, in Christ God was reconciling[3] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (诗32:2; 羅4:8; 林后5:18)20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (玛2:7; 林后6:1; 加4:14; 弗6:20)21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (羅1:17; 羅4:25; 羅8:3; 林前1:30; 加3:13; 彼前2:22)