哥林多後書第五章第1—10節,保羅告訴我們,在這個世界上其實我們是住在帳篷裏,這個帳篷就是我們的身體。我們在這個地上的帳篷裏勞苦歎息,若這地上的帳篷拆毀了,我們就必得神所造的在天國的房屋,因為我們相信主耶穌基督的福音。神賜給了我們聖靈作為救我們的首付款,因此,我們總是非常有信心地知道當我們住在身體這個帳篷裏的時候,我們就缺席主所造的天上的房屋,也因此我們在世行事為人是憑著信心,而不是憑著眼見,我們來到世上隻是在此野營的,我們的家在天國,那裏有神給我們預備的房屋。保羅說我們的目標是無論在天國的家裏還是在野營,都要得主的喜悅,將來當每個人站在基督麵前的時候,根據野營時候的表現會收到相應的賞罰。
林後5:1 我們原知道、我們這地上的帳棚若拆毀了、必得 神所造、不是人手所造、在天上永存的房屋。
For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.
林後5:2 我們在這帳棚裏歎息、深想得那從天上來的房屋、好象穿上衣服.
For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven;
林後5:3 倘若穿上、被遇見的時候就不至於赤身了。
if so be that being clothed we will not be found naked.
林後5:4 我們在這帳棚裏、歎息勞苦、並非願意脫下這個、乃是願意穿上那個、好叫這必死的被生命吞滅了。
For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
林後5:5 為此培植我們的就是 神、他又賜給我們聖靈作憑據。〔原文作質〕
Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.
林後5:6 所以我們時常坦然無懼、並且曉得我們住在身內便與主相離。
Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;
林後5:7 因我們行事為人、是憑著信心、不是憑著眼見。
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
林後5:8 我們坦然無懼、是更願意離開身體與主同住。
We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
林後5:9 所以無論是住在身內、離開身外、我們立了誌向、要得主的喜悅。
Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.
林後5:10 因為我們眾人、必要在基督台前顯露出來、叫各人按著本身所行的、或善或惡受報。
For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.