2 Corinthians 5:9

My Notes

What Does 2 Corinthians 5:9 Mean?

Paul identifies his singular ambition: "whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." Whether he's in the body (present, alive on earth) or away from the body (absent, with the Lord in death), his aim is the same: to be pleasing to Christ. The ambition transcends circumstances, locations, and even the boundary between life and death.

The word "labour" (philotimeomai) means to be ambitious, to strive earnestly, to make it one's aim. Paul's ambition isn't passive desire. It's active striving. He works at being pleasing to Christ with the same energy that a career-driven person works at professional success. Being accepted by Christ is his career, his hobby, his obsession.

The phrase "whether present or absent" universalizes the ambition: it's not limited to conditions. Paul isn't ambitious for Christ only when things are going well (present in the body, enjoying life). He's ambitious for Christ equally when things end (absent from the body, facing death). The ambition to please Christ is the only ambition that survives death. Every other ambition expires at the grave.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What are you actually ambitious for—not what you claim, but where your best energy goes?
• 2.If Paul's sole ambition was to be pleasing to Christ, how many competing ambitions are diluting yours?
• 3.This ambition survives death. How many of your current ambitions won't survive this year, let alone the grave?
• 4.What would it look like to organize your life around being accepted by Christ the way you organize it around your career or your goals?

Devotional

"Whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." Alive or dead. In the body or out of it. On earth or in heaven. One ambition. One aim. One relentless, all-encompassing goal: to be pleasing to Christ. That's Paul's singular drive. It doesn't change with circumstances. It doesn't end with death.

The word Paul uses for 'labour' means to be ambitious. He's not casually hoping to please Christ. He's striving for it. Making it his aim. Organizing his life around it the way ambitious people organize their lives around their careers. Being accepted by Christ isn't something Paul wants. It's something he works for with everything he has.

The 'whether present or absent' removes every condition: you don't get a pass on this ambition when life is hard. You don't get a sabbatical from it when circumstances change. Alive? Strive to please Him. Dying? Still strive. Dead? Still accepted. The ambition to please Christ is the only ambition that operates on both sides of the grave. Every other ambition—career, reputation, comfort, legacy—dies when you die. This one doesn't.

What are you ambitious for? Not what you claim to value. What you actually strive for. Where your best energy goes. What you think about when you're planning, strategizing, and working your hardest. If the answer isn't 'being accepted by Christ,' Paul's singular focus exposes a scattered one. He had one ambition. One. And it survived every circumstance, including death. How many ambitions are you carrying—and how many will survive?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture