Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 5:2
For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church, describing the believer's current mortal existence as a temporary phase awaiting resurrection.
The words — στενάζομεν (stenazomen) literally means "we groan" or "we sigh heavily," denoting the tension of inhabiting a fragile body. οἰκητήριον (oikētērion) translates as "dwelling" or "habitation," directly contrasting the "tent" mentioned in the preceding verse.
The thread — The motif of mortal longing appears in Romans 8:23, where believers groan inwardly while awaiting adoption, and in 1 Corinthians 15:53, which describes the perishable being clothed with imperishability.
Why it lands — The text states that believers currently groan in their mortal bodies while desiring a heavenly dwelling. This framing presents present suffering as a temporary condition and points to a future bodily transformation rather than disembodied existence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
Cross-references
- Romans 8:23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
- 1 Corinthians 15:53 For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
- Romans 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
- 2 Corinthians 5:3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
- Philippians 1:23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
- 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials