Teks -- 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NET)

5:9 So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: 2Co 5:9 - We make it our aim

We make it our aim ( philotimoumetha ).

Old and common verb, present middle, from philotimos (philos , timē , fond of honour), to act from love of honour, to be ambitious in the good sense (1Th 4:11; 2Co 5:9; Rom 15:20). The Latin ambitio has a bad sense from ambire , to go both ways to gain one’ s point.

Robertson: 2Co 5:9 - To be well-pleasing to him

To be well-pleasing to him ( euarestoi autōi einai ).

Late adjective that shows Paul’ s loyalty to Christ, his Captain. Found in several inscriptions in the Koiné[28928]š period (Deissmann, Bible Studies , p. 214; Moulton and Milligan’ s Vocabulary ).

Vincent: 2Co 5:9 - We labor

We labor ( φιλοτιμούμεθα )

Used by Paul only, here, Rom 15:20 (note), 1Th 4:11. Labor is a feeble translation, not bringing out the idea of the end contemplated, as the motive of the toil. Rev., we make it our aim .

Wesley: 2Co 5:9 - Therefore we are ambitious

The only ambition which has place in a Christian.

Wesley: 2Co 5:9 - Whether present

In the body.

Wesley: 2Co 5:9 - Or absent

From it.

JFB: 2Co 5:9 - Wherefore

With such a sure "confidence" of being blessed, whether we die before, or be found alive at Christ's coming.

JFB: 2Co 5:9 - we labour

Literally, "make it our ambition"; the only lawful ambition.

JFB: 2Co 5:9 - whether present or absent

Whether we be found at His coming present in the body, or absent from it.

JFB: 2Co 5:9 - accepted

Greek, "well-pleasing."

Clarke: 2Co 5:9 - Wherefore we labor

Wherefore we labor - Φιλοτιμουμεθα· from φιλος, loving, and τιμη, honor; we act at all times on the principles of honor; we are, in the proper sense of the word, ambitious to do and say every thing consistently with our high vocation: and, as we claim kindred to the inhabitants of heaven, to act as they do

Clarke: 2Co 5:9 - We may be accepted of him

We may be accepted of him - Ευαρεστοι αυτῳ ειναι To be pleasing to him. Through the love we have to God, we study and labor to please him. This is and will be our heaven, to study to love, please, and serve him from whom we have received both our being and its blessings.

Calvin: 2Co 5:9 - Wherefore we strive

9.Wherefore we strive Having shown how magnanimous Christians ought to be in the endurance of afflictions, ⁵³¹ so that even in dying they may be conquerors over death, and that too, because by afflictions and death they attain to a blessed life, he now from the same source draws also another conclusion — that they must, by all means, make it their main desire to please God. And indeed it cannot but be, that the hope of a resurrection, and thoughtfulness as to the judgment, will awaken in us this desire; as, on the other hand, the true reason why we are so indolent and remiss in duty is, that we seldom, if ever, think of what ought to be constantly kept in remembrance, ⁵³² that we are here but lodgers ⁵³³ for a short time, that we may, after finishing our course, return to Christ. Observe, however, what he says — that this is the desire both of the living and of the dead, by which statement the immortality of the soul is again confirmed.

Defender: 2Co 5:9 - labour

This verse is not suggesting that we must "labor" to be "accepted" by Christ. The connotation of "labor" is "ambitious," and that of "accepted of" is "be well-pleasing to." It is our earnest desire to please Christ (2Ti 2:4)."

TSK: 2Co 5:9 - we labour // whether // accepted

we labour : or, we endeavour, Joh 6:27; Rom 15:20; 1Co 9:26, 1Co 9:27, 1Co 15:58; Col 1:29; 1Th 4:11 *Gr: 1Ti 4:10; Heb 4:11; 2Pe 1:10,2Pe 1:11, 2Pe 3:14

whether : 2Co 5:6, 2Co 5:8; Rom 14:8

accepted : Gen 4:7; Isa 56:7; Act 10:35; Eph 1:6; Heb 12:28

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Co 5:9 - we labour // we may be accepted of him

Having such a hope, yea, not such a hope only, but such an assurance and confidence,

we labour both actively, doing the will of God, and passively, submitting to the will of God in all afflictive providences; that while we are in the body, and absent from the Lord,

we may be accepted of him as we know we shall be, when we shall be present with him, in another sense than we now are.

Gill: 2Co 5:9 - Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent // may be accepted of him

Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent,.... This may be understood either of the ministers of the Gospel in particular, who labour in the word and doctrine, are ambitious, as the word here used signifies, and strive to preach the Gospel, not to please men, but their Lord and master; or of saints in general, who are intent upon this, and whose highest ambition is, that whether living or dying they

may be accepted of him; both persons and services: such who are born again, who are believers in Christ, and truly love him, are earnestly desirous of doing those things which are pleasing to him; and do in the strength of Christ endeavour to perform them. Faith is a diligent, industrious, and operative grace, and makes persons like itself. As none ought to be, so none are more careful to perform good works, or more ambitious to excel others in them, and thereby please their Lord, than believers. And these are the only persons that can please him, for without faith it is impossible to please him; for these act from a principle of love to him, and with a view to his glory; and may they be but accepted of him, living and dying, both in this and the other world, they have the highest favour they can wish for and desire.