2 Corinthians 5:9

2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

a. NLT: So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

b. NIV: So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

c. YLT: Wherefore also we are ambitious, whether at home or away from home, to be well pleasing to him,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him], we are constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to be pleasing to Him.

e. Worrell Translation: Wherefore, we also make it our aim—whether being at home or being from home—to be well-pleasing to Him.

1. “Wherefore we labour…”

a. Wherefore [1352 * dio] [Strong: from 1223 and 3739; through which thing, i.e. consequently:--for which cause, therefore, wherefore.]

b. we labour [5389 * philotimeomai] [Zodhiates: philos-a friend; time-honor; to make something an ambition.] [Thayer: to be fond of honour, from a love of honour to strive to bring something to pass, to be ambitious, to strive earnestly, make it one's aim.] [Vine: of the "aim" of believers "to be well-pleasing" unto the Lord, RV (AV, "labor").] [Strong: middle voice from a compound of 5384 and 5092; to be fond of honor, i.e. emulous (eager or earnest to do something):--labour, strive, study.]

2. “…that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”

a. that [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. whether [1535 * eite] [Strong: from 1487 and 5037; if too:--if, or, whether.]

c. present [1736 * endemeo] [Strong: from a compound of 1722 and 1218; to be in one's own country, i.e. home (figuratively):--be at home (present).]

d. or [1535 * eite] [Strong: from 1487 and 5037; if too:--if, or, whether.]

e. absent [1553 * ekdemeo] [Strong: from a compound of 1537 and 1218; to emigrate, i.e. (figuratively) vacate or quit:--be absent.]

f. we may be [1511 * einai] [Strong: present infinitive from 1510; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.]

g. accepted [2101 * euarestos] [Strong: from 2095 and 701; fully agreeable:--acceptable(-ted), well pleasing.]

1). The Greek word is used here is found a total 9 times in the New Testament. In 8 of those times it is speaking of being well pleasing to God, in one  (Titus 2:9), it is referring to pleasing man in a good way. Looking at its uses we can determine somewhat how we can be pleasing to God in our relationship with Hm.

a). Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices in obedience to Him. The Greek word is used twice in this passage.

(1) Romans 12:1, 2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

b). Not judging our brothers on matters of conscience.

(1) Romans 14

c). Giving to ministers of the Gospel.

(1) Philippians 4:15-18 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

d). Obeying our parents.

(1) Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

e). Obeying God and yielding to Him to build things in our life that are pleasing to Him.

(1) Hebrews 13:20, 21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

h. of him [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]