Lexical Summary ekdémeó: To be away from home, to be absent Original Word: ἐκδημέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be absent. From a compound of ek and demos; to emigrate, i.e. (figuratively) vacate or quit -- be absent. see GREEK ek see GREEK demos HELPS Word-studies 1553 ekdēméō (from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 1218 /dḗmos, "a population, people") – properly, out from home, i.e. with the outcome of being absent ("away from home"). It only occurs in 2 Cor 5:6-9. 1553 /ekdēméō ("being absent") portrays believers who are still alive as being "away from home" (heaven), i.e. because still living in a mortal, physical body (2 Cor 5:6). At Christ's return, all believers will be resurrected/raptured from the earth, leaving the "old home" of the unglorified body on the present earth to experience glorification. See Rev 19:7-9. 1553 (ekdēmeō) is always used positively, of the desire to be absent (away) from the restrictions of this world and going on to enjoy God's manifest glory. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and démos Definition to be away from home, absent NASB Translation absent (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1553: ἐκδημέωἐκδημέω, ἐκδήμω; 1 aorist infinitive ἐκδημῆσαι; (ἔκδημος away from home); 1. to go abroad (Herodotus, Sophocles, Plato, Josephus, others); hence, universally, to emigrate, depart: ἐκ τοῦ σώματος, from the body as the earthly abode of the spirit, 2 Corinthians 5:8. 2. to be or live abroad: 2 Corinthians 5:9; ἀπό τοῦ κυρίου, abode with whom is promised us, 2 Corinthians 5:6; in these examples opposed to ἐνδήμω, which see In 2 Corinthians 5 Paul employs three cognate forms of the verb to stress the believer’s “absence” from one sphere and corresponding “presence” in another. The immediate contrast is between earthly life (“in the body”) and heavenly life (“with the Lord”). The language is drawn from the familiar experience of living abroad: a traveler’s current location is real, yet never ultimate; he longs for his true homeland. Paul uses the imagery to frame the entire Christian journey between Christ’s resurrection and His return. Occurrences and Immediate Context • 2 Corinthians 5:6 – “while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.” The triple use intensifies the theme: confidence in Christ empowers believers to live faithfully in the present while yearning for perfected fellowship. Theological Significance Presence with Christ in the Intermediate State Paul does not conceive of a disembodied limbo. To be “away from the body” is immediately to be “at home with the Lord.” From Stephen’s prayer in Acts 7:59 to Jesus’ word in Luke 23:43, Scripture portrays conscious communion with Christ after death and before the resurrection. The term guards against soul-sleep theories and reinforces personal continuity beyond the grave. Pilgrim Identity and Perseverance Just as Abraham sojourned in tents “looking forward to the city with foundations” (Hebrews 11:10), believers remain expatriates in a world that is not their final residence. The verb reminds the church that discomfort, persecution, and moral tension are normal features of pilgrimage. Yet these hardships cultivate the longing “to be away … and at home,” a desire that fuels holiness (1 John 3:3) and mission (Philippians 1:23-24). Motivation for God-Pleasing Ministry Paul’s aspiration “whether … at home or away” (2 Corinthians 5:9) folds present service and future hope into a single aim: to please Christ. The transient status of earthly life relativizes suffering, self-promotion, and material gain. Ministry takes its cues from the Judgment Seat that immediately follows the believer’s reception into the Lord’s presence (2 Corinthians 5:10). The vocabulary of absence therefore underwrites accountability as well as comfort. Christ-Centered Anthropology The body is not disparaged; rather, absence is temporary, anticipating resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:4). The term keeps believers from dualistic extremes. On one hand, it discourages worldliness by calling life “in the body” a foreign posting. On the other, it upholds bodily dignity, for the ultimate hope is not escape but reclamation of creation in a glorified form (Romans 8:23). Historical Reception Early Church Church Fathers regularly cited 2 Corinthians 5 to defend conscious post-mortem communion with Christ. Ignatius wrote to the Romans of “seeking Him who died for us” through martyrdom, echoing Paul’s desire. Augustine argued from the same verses against soul-sleep. Reformation Reformers contrasted the biblical hope of immediate presence with Christ against medieval notions of purgatory. Calvin’s Institutes 3.25.6 appeals directly to “away from the body” to teach the believer’s entry into heavenly rest. Modern Missions and Martyrdom Missionaries have often found in this verb a warrant for risking life abroad: physical death ushers the servant into the Lord’s nearer presence. From David Livingstone to Jim Elliot, journals and sermons echo Paul’s confidence, transforming danger into opportunity. Pastoral and Practical Applications Comfort in Bereavement Funeral ministry commonly turns to 2 Corinthians 5 to assure families that departed saints are already “at home with the Lord.” The verb provides pastoral language that is both realistic about death and triumphant in hope. Ethics of Bodily Stewardship Though life here is “away,” the body remains the Spirit’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). Stewardship of health, sexuality, and work is therefore framed not by ownership but by ambassadorship. Missionary Outlook The church on earth functions as Christ’s embassy (2 Corinthians 5:20). Ambassadors live abroad yet represent their homeland’s interests. The term thus shapes evangelism: believers speak for the coming Kingdom while respecting earthly authorities. Connections with Related Concepts • Endēmeō (to be at home) contrasts with the term, highlighting the believer’s dual status. Summary Strong’s Greek 1553 frames Christian existence as life lived abroad. It anchors personal eschatology, fuels mission, strengthens perseverance, and offers profound comfort. By reminding believers that their truest residence is with Christ, the term calls the church to faithful, hopeful, and God-pleasing service until the day absence gives way to final homecoming. Englishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 5:6 V-PIA-1PGRK: τῷ σώματι ἐκδημοῦμεν ἀπὸ τοῦ NAS: in the body we are absent from the Lord-- KJV: the body, we are absent from INT: the body we are from home away from the 2 Corinthians 5:8 V-ANA 2 Corinthians 5:9 V-PPA-NMP Strong's Greek 1553 |
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