As we look forward to the realization of these good things our ambition must be to please God come life or death. The prospect of face-to-face fellowship with Jesus Christ should motivate us to please Him out of love (cf. Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). Paul did not mean that we can perform acts after we die that will please God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10), though we can. "At home or absent" is a figure of speech (merism) for always. In a merism two parts represent the whole (e.g, heaven and earth means the universe). [source][source][source]
"To be well-pleasing to Christ Isaiah , indeed, the sum of all ambition which is truly Christian." [1][source]
". . . one always wishes to please the one he or she loves." [2][source]
Context Summary
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 - Longing To Be "at Home With The Lord"
This mortal life is a pilgrimage, and our body is a tent, so slight, so transitory, so easily taken down; but what does it matter, since there is awaiting us a mansion prepared by God? Often in this veil of flesh we groan. It cages us, anchors us down to earth, hampers us with its needs, obstructs our vision, and becomes the medium of temptation. How good it would be if our physical body could be suddenly transmuted into the glorified ethereal body which should be like the resurrection body of our Lord! It would be sweet to escape the wrench of death. But if not, then through death we shall carry with us the germ of the glorified body. That which shall be quickened will first die, but God will give it a body as it shall please Him.
The gate of death may look gloomy on this side, but on the other it is of burnished gold, and opens directly into the presence-chamber of Jesus. We long to see Him and to be with Him; and such desires are the work of the Holy Spirit and the first fruits of heaven. But remember that just inside the door there is Christ's judgment seat, where He will adjudge our life and apportion our reward. Prepare, my soul, to give an account of thy talents! [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 5
1That in his assured hope of immortal glory, 9and in expectation of it, he labors to keep a good conscience; 12not that he may boast of himself, 14but as one that, having received life from Christ, 17endeavors to live as a new creature to Christ only, 18and by his ministry of reconciliation, to reconcile others also in Christ to God
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 5:9
We make it our aim [πιλοτιμουμετα] Old and common verb, present middle, from πιλοτιμος philotimos The Latin ambitio has a bad sense from ambire, to go both ways to gain one‘s point. [source]
To be well-pleasing to him [euarestoi autōi einai)] Late adjective that shows Paul‘s loyalty to Christ, his Captain. Found in several inscriptions in the Koiné{[28928]}š period (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 214; Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). [source]
We labor [φιλοτιμούμεθα] Used by Paul only, here, Romans 15:20(note), 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Labor is a feeble translation, not bringing out the idea of the end contemplated, as the motive of the toil. Rev., we make it our aim.sa40 [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 5:9
Romans 15:20Have I strived [φιλοτιμούμενον] The verb means originally to be fond of honor, and hence, from a love of honor, to strive, be ambitious. Compare 2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:11. The correct sense is to prosecute as a point of honor. [source]
Romans 12:1By the mercies [δια των οικτιρμων] “By means of the mercies of God” as shown in his argument and in our lives. See note on 2 Corinthians 1:3 for “the Father of mercies.” To present (παραστησαι parastēsai). First aorist active infinitive of παριστημι paristēmi for which verb see note on Romans 6:13, a technical term for offering a sacrifice (Josephus, Ant. IV. 6, 4), though not in the O.T. Used of presenting the child Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:22), of the Christian presenting himself (Romans 6:13), of God presenting the saved (Ephesians 5:27), of Christ presenting the church (Colossians 1:28). Bodies So literally as in Romans 6:13,Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:10 and in contrast with νους nous (mind) in Romans 12:2. A living sacrifice (τυσιαν ζωσαν thusian zōsan). In contrast with the Levitical sacrifices of slain animals. Cf. Romans 6:8,Romans 6:11,Romans 6:13. Not a propitiatory sacrifice, but one of praise. Acceptable “Well-pleasing.” See note on 2 Corinthians 5:9. Which is your reasonable service (tēn logikēn humōn latreian). “Your rational (spiritual) service (worship).” For latreia see note on Romans 9:4. την λογικην υμων λατρειαν Logikos is from λατρεια logos reason. The phrase means here “worship rendered by the reason (or soul).” Old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 2:2 Λογικος to logikon gala (not logical milk, but the milk nourishing the soul). [source]
Romans 12:1Bodies [σωματα] So literally as in Romans 6:13,Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:10 and in contrast with νους nous (mind) in Romans 12:2. A living sacrifice (τυσιαν ζωσαν thusian zōsan). In contrast with the Levitical sacrifices of slain animals. Cf. Romans 6:8,Romans 6:11,Romans 6:13. Not a propitiatory sacrifice, but one of praise. Acceptable “Well-pleasing.” See note on 2 Corinthians 5:9. Which is your reasonable service (tēn logikēn humōn latreian). “Your rational (spiritual) service (worship).” For latreia see note on Romans 9:4. την λογικην υμων λατρειαν Logikos is from λατρεια logos reason. The phrase means here “worship rendered by the reason (or soul).” Old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 2:2 Λογικος to logikon gala (not logical milk, but the milk nourishing the soul). [source]
Romans 12:1Acceptable [ευαρεστον] “Well-pleasing.” See note on 2 Corinthians 5:9. Which is your reasonable service (tēn logikēn humōn latreian). “Your rational (spiritual) service (worship).” For latreia see note on Romans 9:4. την λογικην υμων λατρειαν Logikos is from λατρεια logos reason. The phrase means here “worship rendered by the reason (or soul).” Old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 2:2 Λογικος to logikon gala (not logical milk, but the milk nourishing the soul). [source]
Romans 15:20Making it my aim [πιλοτιμουμενον] Present middle participle (accusative case agreeing with με me) of πιλοτιμεομαι philotimeomai old verb, to be fond of honour In N.T. only here and 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 5:9. A noble word in itself, quite different in aim from the Latin word for ambition (ambio, to go on both sides to carry one‘s point). Not where (ουχ οπου ouch hopou). Paul was a pioneer preacher pushing on to new fields after the manner of Daniel Boone in Kentucky. That I might now build upon another man‘s foundation For αλλοτριος allotrios (not αλλος allos) see note on Romans 14:4. For τεμελιον themelion see notes on Luke 6:48. and note on 1 Corinthians 3:11. This noble ambition of Paul‘s is not within the range of some ministers who can only build on another‘s foundation as Apollos did in Corinth. But the pioneer preacher and missionary has a dignity and glory all his own. [source]
1 Thessalonians 4:11That ye study to be quiet [πιλοτιμεισται ησυχαζειν] First infinitive dependent on παρακαλουμεν parakaloumen (1 Thessalonians 4:10, we exhort you), the second on πιλοτιμεισται philotimeisthai (old verb from πιλοτιμος philotimos fond of honour, πιλοσ τιμη philosπρασσειν τα ιδια timē). The notion of ambition appears in each of the three N.T. examples (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 5:20), but it is ambition to do good, not evil. The word ambition is Latin (ambitio from ambo, ire), to go on both sides to accomplish one‘s aims and often evil). A preacher devoid of ambition lacks power. There was a restless spirit in Thessalonica because of the misapprehension of the second coming. So Paul urges an ambition to be quiet or calm, to lead a quiet life, including silence (Acts 11:18). [source]
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐνδημέω
Sense: to be among one’s own people, dwell in one’s own country, stay at home.
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 5:9
Old and common verb, present middle, from πιλοτιμος philotimos The Latin ambitio has a bad sense from ambire, to go both ways to gain one‘s point. [source]
Late adjective that shows Paul‘s loyalty to Christ, his Captain. Found in several inscriptions in the Koiné{[28928]}š period (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 214; Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). [source]
Used by Paul only, here, Romans 15:20(note), 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Labor is a feeble translation, not bringing out the idea of the end contemplated, as the motive of the toil. Rev., we make it our aim.sa40 [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 5:9
The verb means originally to be fond of honor, and hence, from a love of honor, to strive, be ambitious. Compare 2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:11. The correct sense is to prosecute as a point of honor. [source]
“By means of the mercies of God” as shown in his argument and in our lives. See note on 2 Corinthians 1:3 for “the Father of mercies.” To present (παραστησαι parastēsai). First aorist active infinitive of παριστημι paristēmi for which verb see note on Romans 6:13, a technical term for offering a sacrifice (Josephus, Ant. IV. 6, 4), though not in the O.T. Used of presenting the child Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:22), of the Christian presenting himself (Romans 6:13), of God presenting the saved (Ephesians 5:27), of Christ presenting the church (Colossians 1:28). Bodies So literally as in Romans 6:13, Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:10 and in contrast with νους nous (mind) in Romans 12:2. A living sacrifice (τυσιαν ζωσαν thusian zōsan). In contrast with the Levitical sacrifices of slain animals. Cf. Romans 6:8, Romans 6:11, Romans 6:13. Not a propitiatory sacrifice, but one of praise. Acceptable “Well-pleasing.” See note on 2 Corinthians 5:9. Which is your reasonable service (tēn logikēn humōn latreian). “Your rational (spiritual) service (worship).” For latreia see note on Romans 9:4. την λογικην υμων λατρειαν Logikos is from λατρεια logos reason. The phrase means here “worship rendered by the reason (or soul).” Old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 2:2 Λογικος to logikon gala (not logical milk, but the milk nourishing the soul). [source]
So literally as in Romans 6:13, Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:10 and in contrast with νους nous (mind) in Romans 12:2. A living sacrifice (τυσιαν ζωσαν thusian zōsan). In contrast with the Levitical sacrifices of slain animals. Cf. Romans 6:8, Romans 6:11, Romans 6:13. Not a propitiatory sacrifice, but one of praise. Acceptable “Well-pleasing.” See note on 2 Corinthians 5:9. Which is your reasonable service (tēn logikēn humōn latreian). “Your rational (spiritual) service (worship).” For latreia see note on Romans 9:4. την λογικην υμων λατρειαν Logikos is from λατρεια logos reason. The phrase means here “worship rendered by the reason (or soul).” Old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 2:2 Λογικος to logikon gala (not logical milk, but the milk nourishing the soul). [source]
“Well-pleasing.” See note on 2 Corinthians 5:9. Which is your reasonable service (tēn logikēn humōn latreian). “Your rational (spiritual) service (worship).” For latreia see note on Romans 9:4. την λογικην υμων λατρειαν Logikos is from λατρεια logos reason. The phrase means here “worship rendered by the reason (or soul).” Old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 2:2 Λογικος to logikon gala (not logical milk, but the milk nourishing the soul). [source]
Present middle participle (accusative case agreeing with με me) of πιλοτιμεομαι philotimeomai old verb, to be fond of honour In N.T. only here and 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 5:9. A noble word in itself, quite different in aim from the Latin word for ambition (ambio, to go on both sides to carry one‘s point). Not where (ουχ οπου ouch hopou). Paul was a pioneer preacher pushing on to new fields after the manner of Daniel Boone in Kentucky. That I might now build upon another man‘s foundation For αλλοτριος allotrios (not αλλος allos) see note on Romans 14:4. For τεμελιον themelion see notes on Luke 6:48. and note on 1 Corinthians 3:11. This noble ambition of Paul‘s is not within the range of some ministers who can only build on another‘s foundation as Apollos did in Corinth. But the pioneer preacher and missionary has a dignity and glory all his own. [source]
PoMake it your aim. Comp. Romans 15:20(see note); 2 Corinthians 5:9. Often in Class. Lit. to be fond of honor: hence to strive for honor, to be ambitious. [source]
First infinitive dependent on παρακαλουμεν parakaloumen (1 Thessalonians 4:10, we exhort you), the second on πιλοτιμεισται philotimeisthai (old verb from πιλοτιμος philotimos fond of honour, πιλοσ τιμη philosπρασσειν τα ιδια timē). The notion of ambition appears in each of the three N.T. examples (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 5:20), but it is ambition to do good, not evil. The word ambition is Latin (ambitio from ambo, ire), to go on both sides to accomplish one‘s aims and often evil). A preacher devoid of ambition lacks power. There was a restless spirit in Thessalonica because of the misapprehension of the second coming. So Paul urges an ambition to be quiet or calm, to lead a quiet life, including silence (Acts 11:18). [source]
See note on 2 Corinthians 5:9. Not gainsaying (mē antilegontas). “Not answer back.” See note on Romans 10:21. [source]