2 Corinthians 5:2-3 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by taking g it off we may not be found naked.
Most people understand the word “groan.” It is a deep feeling we sometimes get when life is stressful or difficult. It is during those times that our mortality is especially evident. We realize that life is tenuous. When life is going well, we may feel invulnerable and strong. We tend to forget God and eternal matters. That is the danger of materialism and placing too much value in earthly goods and living. Experiencing the moments of groaning help us to realize our dependency upon a Creator. We are more apt to call on God when we experience trials and suffering. Many hymns have been written by people going through such difficult times.
Paul continues his tent illustration and moves on to the heavenly dwelling, which may refer to our transformed heavenly bodies. The question in v. 3 is what will happen at the resurrection, when the earthly tent of our physical bodies and the fallen earthly existence are no longer part of the picture. How will we look? If the tent is removed, will there be anything there clothing us? This is a metaphoric way of warning about judgment. We do not want to be exposed as sinners who have rejected Christ. When our earthly existence is removed, our souls will be laid bare. What is within us will be evident. Obviously, God knows the human heart. But Paul is not emphasizing that idea here but rather then possibility of shame. Nakedness is a shaming experience in most cultures and stretches back to when Adam and Eve were naked and ashamed after they ate of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3.
The way to avoid this shame before the judgment seat of Christ is to make sure our hearts are right in this life. In the context of this letter, that means that we stand up to suffering and persecution and do not give in to temptations. Paul is calling the Corinthians to be strong and not forsake their faith in Christ.
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