Literary Context on 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
2 Cor 5:1-10 is about the way to liberation from the slavery of sins alongside the benefits of freedom, a theme which the whole text and the New Testament [NT] covers. Paul in 2 Cor 1: 6 shows how he and other co-workers have suffered because of the gospel attributing the anguish to the idea that “we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings” (1Cor 1:5). Paul, as a result, advocates for the Corinthians to endure similar suffering in verse 6 and 7 as a price for participating in Christ suffering.
The text structure compares with other Paul’s letter and most of the NT approach of comparing life with and without Christ to support the argument of liberation and happiness. In Rom 6:3-4, Paul compares baptism to death, and resurrection showing that there is suffering before freedom. In the text, Paul contrasts the earth and heaven by stating that the earth is a tenet, and heaven is a permanent house (2 Cor 5:1). The text drives the point that people must disown the earth and accept suffering through death for a permanent residence, visible through faith. Paul’s contrast in the text parallels another one in the previous chapter, 2cor 4:18, comparing the earth with temporal rewards and the unseen, heaven with eternal happiness. He uses the comparison to argue the benefits of freedom and need to have faith in Christ for the unseen.
Paul, in 2 Cor 5:1-10, on the other hand, uses a tone of groan and persuasion, which comes immediately after the triumphant and persuasive tone in chapter 4 of the same book. In 2Cor 4:16, the author encourages readers that despite the decay of the body, they get “renewed day by day.” 2 Cor 5:1-10 follows to persuade readers towards Christ with a groaning tone. In 2Cor 5:2, Paul states that “…we groan, longing to be clothed…” to show the pain which believers experience. However, the following chapter 6 has an optimistic tone with the author telling the readers that “…your day of deliverance is here!” (2Cor 6:2). The tone is coherent from triumphant one, groan and optimistic to show the element of persuasion that exists in the text, 2 Cor 5:1-10. The text, on the other hand, employs the style of a letter and a confession addressing the readers as “we” to show the relationship and direct conversation. Paul, the author confesses his groan and that which the readers are and will experience. The text also contains postpositive causal conjunction like since and because to help in comparisons and persuasion.
The text, however, takes a shift from the general complaint and lecture, which the author makes from chapter one. In 2 Cor 1:6, the author states that “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation…” to expose his suffering and show an apostolic authority. However, in 2 Cor 5:1-10, the author employs persuasive teaching and conversation with the readers by the use of words like “we” and showing how they can overcome together the apostolic mission.