Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 5:9
So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church while concluding his argument about the believer's earthly body and eternal presence with the Lord. He states the practical outcome of this eschatological hope for Christian conduct.
The words — The Greek verb φιλοτιμούμεθα (philotimoumetha) denotes a disciplined striving or ambitious effort, paired with εὐάρεστοι (euarestoi) meaning "well-pleasing." Paul uses these terms to describe a deliberate, ongoing pursuit of divine approval.
The thread — This pursuit of divine approval runs through Colossians 1:10, which commands walking worthily to please God, and Romans 14:18, which links serving Christ with being approved by others and pleasing to God.
Why it lands — The text commands believers to direct their daily conduct toward divine approval regardless of physical presence or absence. It requires readers to align their immediate choices with eternal accountability rather than temporary comfort.
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
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
Cross-references
- Colossians 1:10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
- 2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
- Romans 14:18 For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
- Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
- 1 Timothy 4:10 To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
- Isaiah 56:7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”
- Acts 10:35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
- Romans 14:8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
- Romans 15:20 In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.