CHAPTER 3 — TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY
Introduction
One of the clearest statements regarding what happens after a believer dies comes from the Apostle Paul.
Few passages have been quoted more often than:
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
— 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
Many Christians understand this verse to teach that believers immediately enter Christ's presence at death.
Others argue that Paul was speaking of the resurrection rather than the intermediate state.
This chapter carefully examines Paul's entire argument—not merely one verse—to determine exactly what he intended.
Our goal is to allow Paul's own words to explain Paul's meaning.
The Context of 2 Corinthians 5
The fifth chapter of 2 Corinthians does not begin with verse eight.
Paul begins by contrasting two dwellings.
The present body is compared to an earthly tent.
The future resurrected body is compared to a building made by God.
He writes:
"For 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."
— 2 Corinthians 5:1 (KJV)
Paul is describing mortality.
Our earthly bodies are temporary.
God has promised something permanent.
Greek Word Study — "Tabernacle"
Greek: σκῆνος (skēnos)
Meaning
tent
temporary dwelling
portable shelter
Paul intentionally uses the imagery of a tent because tents are not permanent homes.
Just as Israel's tabernacle was temporary before the Temple, our present bodies are temporary until resurrection.
The Desire to Be Clothed
Paul continues:
"For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven."
— 2 Corinthians 5:2 (KJV)
Believers long for something better.
Paul is not longing merely to die.
He is longing for resurrection.
His ultimate hope is not disembodied existence but the glorified body promised by Christ.
Greek Word Study — "Clothed"
Greek: ἐπενδύω (ependyō)
Meaning
to put on over
to be fully clothed
to be invested with another covering
Paul pictures resurrection as putting on a new garment.
The old body passes away.
The glorified body replaces it.
What Does "Absent From the Body" Mean?
Paul writes:
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
— 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
Two Greek expressions deserve careful attention.
Greek Word Study — "Absent"
Greek: ἐκδημέω (ekdēmeō)
Meaning
to be away from one's homeland
to depart
to be absent from home
Paul uses this same word earlier in the chapter when describing our present earthly life.
While we remain in these mortal bodies, we are absent from the visible presence of Christ because we walk by faith rather than by sight.
Death reverses that condition.
Greek Word Study — "Present"
Greek: ἐνδημέω (endēmeō)
Meaning
to be at home
to reside
to dwell with
Paul contrasts two conditions:
absent from the earthly body
at home with the Lord
The wording naturally describes conscious fellowship rather than unconscious existence.
Comparing Philippians 1
Paul makes a remarkably similar statement elsewhere.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
— Philippians 1:21 (KJV)
He continues:
"Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better."
— Philippians 1:23 (KJV)
Again, Paul speaks of departure immediately followed by being with Christ.
No waiting period is mentioned.
Greek Word Study — "Depart"
Greek: ἀναλύω (analyō)
Meaning
to loosen
to untie
to depart
to set sail
The image is beautiful.
Just as a ship is untied from its moorings and begins its voyage, the believer is released from earthly life to be with Christ.
Does This Contradict the Resurrection?
Not at all.
Paul consistently teaches two future realities.
First, the believer goes to Christ at death.
Second, the believer receives a glorified resurrection body when Christ returns.
These are not the same event.
Being with Christ occurs immediately after death.
Receiving the resurrection body occurs at the resurrection.
The two truths complement rather than contradict one another.
Historical Perspective
The earliest Christian writers overwhelmingly understood Paul's words to teach conscious fellowship with Christ after death.
Among them were:
Ignatius of Antioch
Polycarp
Irenaeus
Tertullian
Athanasius
Augustine
Although these men differed on many prophetic matters, they generally agreed that believers remain alive in Christ after physical death.
Scripture Interpreting Scripture
When Paul's writings are examined together, a consistent picture emerges.
Scripture teaches:
death separates the believer from the earthly body.
the believer goes to Christ.
the body remains in the grave.
the resurrection body is received later.
Christ's return reunites body and spirit forever.
Each passage complements the others without contradiction.
Chapter Summary
Paul's writings provide one of Scripture's clearest windows into the believer's hope after death.
Our present bodies are temporary tents.
Our permanent hope is resurrection.
Yet Paul also teaches that departing this earthly body brings the believer into the presence of Christ.
The resurrection has not yet occurred.
Nevertheless, the believer is never separated from the Savior.
Death is not the end of fellowship.
It is the beginning of seeing by sight what was previously known only through faith.
Looking Ahead
In the next chapter we examine one of the Bible's most fascinating words:
Paradise.
What did Jesus mean when He promised the repentant thief,
"Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
Was Paradise Heaven?
Was it Abraham's Bosom?
Or was it something else entirely?
The Scriptures provide remarkable answers.