II Corinthians 5:2

For in this--Greek, "For also in this"; "herein" (Co2 8:10). ALFORD takes it, "in this" tabernacle. Co2 5:4, which seems parallel, favors this. But the parallelism is sufficiently exact by making "in this we groan" refer generally to what was just said (Co2 5:1), namely, that we cannot obtain our "house in the heavens" except our "earthly tabernacle" be first dissolved by death. we groan-- (Rom 8:23) under the body's weaknesses now and liability to death. earnestly desiring to be clothed upon--translate, "earnestly longing to have ourselves clothed upon," &c., namely, by being found alive at Christ's coming, and so to escape dissolution by death (Co2 5:1, Co2 5:4), and to have our heavenly body put on over the earthly. The groans of the saints prove the existence of the longing desire for the heavenly glory, a desire which cannot be planted by God within us in vain, as doomed to disappointment. our house--different Greek from that in Co2 5:1; translate, "our habitation," "our domicile"; it has a more distinct reference to the inhabitant than the general term "house" (Co2 5:1) [BENGEL]. from heaven--This domicile is "from heaven" in its origin, and is to be brought to us by the Lord at His coming again "from heaven" (Th1 4:16). Therefore this "habitation" or "domicile" is not heaven itself.

The apostle proceeds in showing the reasons why they did not faint under their afflictions, namely, their expectation, desire, and assurance of happiness after death (Co2 5:1-5), and deduces an inference for the comfort of believers in their present state (Co2 5:6-8), and another to quicken them in their duty (Co2 5:9-11). Then he makes an apology for seeming to commend himself, and gives a good reason for his zeal and diligence (Co2 5:12-15), and mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, regeneration and reconciliation (Co2 5:16 to the end).

5:2 we long to put on our heavenly bodies: This is no death wish; Paul was yearning for the Lord’s return when he would give new bodies to his people (1 Cor 15:51-58; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thes 4:16-17).