because when we are clothed
This phrase refers to the spiritual and eternal state believers anticipate after the resurrection. In biblical context, being "clothed" often symbolizes being covered with righteousness or being in a state of readiness for God's presence. In Isaiah 61:10, the prophet speaks of being clothed with garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness, which parallels the idea of being spiritually prepared and adorned for eternal life. The imagery of clothing is also used in the New Testament, such as in Ephesians 4:24, where believers are encouraged to "put on the new self." This suggests a transformation and renewal that comes from being in Christ.

we will not be found naked
In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, nakedness often symbolizes shame, vulnerability, and exposure. In Genesis 3:7, after Adam and Eve sinned, they realized they were naked and felt shame, prompting them to cover themselves. This concept of nakedness as shameful is consistent throughout Scripture. In Revelation 3:18, the church in Laodicea is advised to buy white garments to cover their shameful nakedness, indicating a need for spiritual covering and righteousness. The phrase here in 2 Corinthians 5:3 suggests that believers, when clothed with their heavenly dwelling, will not experience the shame or vulnerability associated with being spiritually unprepared or exposed. This assurance is rooted in the promise of redemption and the hope of resurrection, where believers are fully clothed in Christ's righteousness, thus eliminating any fear of being found lacking or exposed before God.

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance and theological insights.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and cultural influences, which often led to challenges for the early Christian community.

3. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, a group of believers facing various moral and doctrinal issues.

4. The Resurrection
An event central to Christian belief, referring to the future resurrection of believers, which Paul discusses in this passage.

5. The Judgment Seat of Christ
A future event where believers will be judged by Christ, mentioned later in the chapter, providing context for the discussion of being "clothed" and "naked."Spiritual Preparedness
Being "clothed" signifies being spiritually prepared for the return of Christ. Believers are called to live in a way that reflects their faith and readiness for eternal life.

Righteousness in Christ
The clothing metaphor emphasizes the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. We are to put on Christ and His righteousness, avoiding spiritual nakedness.

Hope of Resurrection
This passage reassures believers of the hope of resurrection and eternal life. It encourages us to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal.

Accountability Before God
The idea of not being found naked reminds us of our accountability before God. We are to live lives that are transparent and pleasing to Him.

Living with Eternity in Mind
Our earthly lives should be lived with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual growth and readiness for our heavenly dwelling.(3) If so be that being clothed . . .--The Greek particles express rather more than the English phrase does, the truth of what follows. "If, as I believe . . .," though not a translation, would be a fair paraphrase. The confident expectation thus expressed is that in the resurrection state the spirit will not be "naked," will have, i.e., its appropriate garment, a body--clothing it with the attributes of distinct individuality. To the Greek, Hades was a world of shadows. Of Hades, as an intermediate state, St. Paul does not here speak, but he is sure that, in the state of glory which seemed to him so near, there will be nothing shadowy and unreal. The conviction is identical with that expressed in 1Corinthians 15:35-49, against those who, admitting the immortality of the spirit, denied the resurrection of the body.

Verse 3. - If so be that. The verse may be rendered, "If, that is, being clothed, we shall not be found naked." The word "naked" must then mean "bodiless," and the reference will be to those whom, at his coming, Christ shall find clothed in these mortal bodies, and not separated from them, i.e. quick and not dead (1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:51). This seems to be the simplest and most natural of the multitude of strange interpretations with which the pages of commentators are filled. It is true that the aorist endusamenoi, means literally, "having clothed ourselves," and that, in taking this meaning, we should have expected the perfect participle endedumenoi, having been clothed. If this be thought an insuperable difficulty, we must suppose the verse to mean "If, that is, in reality we shall be found [at Christ's coming] after having put on some intermediate body, and therefore not as mere disembodied spirits." But there is no allusion in Scripture to any intermediate body, nor is any gleam of light shed on the mode of life among the dead between death and resurrection, though the Church rejects the dream of Psychopannychia, or an interval of unconscious sleep. The uncertainty of the meaning is increased by two various readings, ei per instead of ei ge, which latter expresses greater doubt about the matter; and ekdusamenoi (D, F, G), which would mean "if in reality, after unclothing ourselves [i.e. after 'shuffling off this mortal coil'], we shall not be found naked." This seems to be the conjecture of some puzzled copyists, who did not see that a contrast, and not a coincidence, between the two expressions is intended. If this reading were correct, it would mean, as Chrysostom says, "Even if we would lay aside the body. we shall not there be presented without a body, but with the same body which has then become incorruptible." It is quite untenable to make "clothed" mean "clothed with righteousness," as Olshausen does. In the Talmud, 'Shabbath' (f. 152, 2), the righteous are compared to men who keep from stain the robes given them by a king (i.e. their bodies), which robes the king deposits in his treasury and sends the wearers away (bodiless) in peace; but foolish servants stain these robes, and the king sends the robes to the wash, and the wearers in prison.

Parallel Commentaries ...


because
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

when we are clothed,
ἐνδυσάμενοι (endysamenoi)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1746: To put on, clothe (another). From en and duno; to invest with clothing.

we will not be found
εὑρεθησόμεθα (heurethēsometha)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

naked.
γυμνοὶ (gymnoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1131: Rarely: stark-naked; generally: wearing only the under-garment; bare, open, manifest; mere. Of uncertain affinity; nude.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 5:3 If so be that being clothed we (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)