Useful Bible Studies > 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 5
It is God who is working in the lives of his people. In fact, he is not just working; he is achieving his purpose. Through all the troubles of their lives, he is bringing them into a perfect and wonderful relationship with himself*.
What God has begun, he is able to complete*. Although their bodies may die, his people will have life without end *. Although there may be no place for them in this world, they will have a place of great honour in the future world*. God will declare them to be his children, and they will live with him always*.
God’s people do not have all these things yet. However, God has given them a guarantee, or proof, of these things. That guarantee is the Holy Spirit, who lives in them*. The same Spirit, who raised Christ from death, lives in them*. So, as Christ raised to life, all God’s people will rise to new life*.
Because the Holy Spirit lives in God’s people, they already recognise him as their Father *. So, by the power of the Spirit, even now they are aware of their true relationship with God*.
Paul previously described the Holy Spirit as a guarantee in 2 Corinthians 1:22. He repeats it in Ephesians 1:13-14. Clearly he considered this important. Christ had not left his people alone in this world. God sent his Spirit to them, to guide them and to help them. The Holy Spirit will remain in their lives always, to bring them into the complete relationship that God has for them*.
Next part: Christians’ attitudes towards life and death (5:6)
* See complete article for these Bible references.
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© 2016, Keith Simons.