Lexical Summary ependuomai: To be clothed upon, to put on over Original Word: ἐπενδύομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be clothed upon. Middle voice from epi and enduo; to invest upon oneself -- be clothed upon. see GREEK epi see GREEK enduo HELPS Word-studies 1902 ependýomai (from epi, "on, fitting" intensifying 1746 /endýō, "to clothe") – clothe oneself, emphasizing the personal choice (heart-desire) that strongly yearns to be aptly clothed. Both occasions of 1902 /ependýomai ("appropriately clothed") refer to the glorified body the Lord gives (puts on) each believer at Christ's return (cf. 2 Cor 5:2,4 with 5:10). This unique glorification will "fit" (be appropriate), and is part of the eternal reward matching the individual's desire to see Christ return (see J. I. Packer, Concise Theology, 249). See also Rev 19:7-9 and 110 /athanasía ("immortality") for further details on the upcoming glorification of believers. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and enduó Definition to have on over NASB Translation clothed (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1902: ἐπενδύωἐπενδύω: 1 aorist middle infinitive ἐπενδύσασθαι; to put on over (A. V. to be clothed upon): 2 Corinthians 5:2, 4. (Plutarch, Pelop. 11; actively, Josephus, Antiquities 5, 1, 12.) Topical Lexicon Root Imagery of Being Clothed UponThe verb translated “to be clothed upon” evokes the picture of putting an additional garment over what one is already wearing. In Scripture, clothing language often signals identity, status, and transformation (Genesis 3:21; Isaiah 61:10). Here the imagery intensifies: the believer is not merely dressing, but receiving a superior, heavenly garment that envelops what is earthly. Pauline Context: The Groaning Tent Both appearances of the term occur in 2 Corinthians 5:2 and 2 Corinthians 5:4. Paul contrasts the “earthly tent” of the present mortal body with the “building from God, an eternal house in heaven.” The apostle and his companions “groan” because they desire to be clothed upon with that heavenly habitation—an experience anticipated rather than feared. “For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.” (2 Corinthians 5:2) “So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.” (2 Corinthians 5:4) Eschatological Hope and the Intermediate State The language addresses a practical question faced by early believers: What happens between death and resurrection? Paul denies any yearning for a bodiless existence (“unclothed”) and instead expresses eager expectation of a glorious embodiment that surpasses the present one. The verb underscores continuity—the mortal is not discarded but is enveloped and transformed. This anticipates the climactic event when “the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). Historical–Cultural Background In the Greco-Roman world, an outer cloak (himation) could be thrown over a tunic, adding warmth, protection, and dignity. Likewise, Jewish tradition associated special garments with honor and divine favor (Exodus 28; Zechariah 3:4). Paul leverages a common cultural practice to teach that resurrection life overlays the present form, bringing completion rather than annihilation. Related New Testament Parallels Although ἐπενδύομαι is unique to 2 Corinthians 5, the broader motif of “putting on” recurs: • “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). These texts employ the cognate verb for dressing (ἐνδύω), reinforcing that salvation entails a present moral clothing, while 2 Corinthians 5 points to the consummate physical clothing still to come. Doctrinal Implications 1. Bodily redemption: Salvation is holistic, culminating in a glorified body that is both continuous with and superior to our current form. Pastoral Application • Funeral comfort: Mourning finds balance in confident proclamation that the deceased in Christ will be clothed upon with life. Old Testament Foreshadowing The priestly garments (Exodus 28), Joshua’s exchange of filthy garments for clean ones (Zechariah 3), and the prophetic promise, “He has clothed me with garments of salvation” (Isaiah 61:10), prepare the theological soil for Paul’s language. Each instance points to divine initiative in providing righteousness and glory. Summary Strong’s Greek 1902 accents the Christian’s forward-looking hope: not escape from the body, but completion through an over-garment of immortal life. The Spirit’s present indwelling is the down payment, and the future unveiling is certain, motivating holy living and fearless ministry until the moment when mortality is finally swallowed up by life. Forms and Transliterations επενδυσασθαι επενδύσασθαι ἐπενδύσασθαι ependusasthai ependysasthai ependýsasthaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 5:2 V-ANMGRK: ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἐπενδύσασθαι ἐπιποθοῦντες NAS: longing to be clothed with our dwelling KJV: earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our INT: from heaven to be clothed with longing 2 Corinthians 5:4 V-ANM |
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