Paul informs Christians about the new bodies they will receive and their duty as ambassadors for Christ.
The Reassurance, vv. 1-8
A. The old body, 1a, 2a, 3-4a, 6-8
1. Called an earthly tent, v. 1a
2. Filled with groans and sighs, v. 2a
3. Dying, vv. 3-4a
4. Unable to see Jesus face-to-face, vv. 6-8
B. The new body, 1b, 2b, 4b-5
1. Called a home in heaven, v. 1b
2. Without groans or sighs, v. 4b
3. Eternal, v. 2b
4. Able to see Jesus face-to-face, v. 5
The Resolve, v. 9
Please God in both bodies.
The Reckoning, v. 10
A. The Place, v. 10a: Judgment seat of Christ.
B. The Purpose, v. 10b: To assess the quality or lack of quality of our lives will be tested.
The Reconciling, vv. 11-21
A. God’s special ministry
1. God has reconciled all sinners by the death of Christ, vv. 14-15.
2. God has regenerated all repentant sinners, receiving a new nature, vv. 18-19, 21a.
B. Our special ministry
1. The task, vv. 11-13, 21b: the ministry of reconciliation.
2. The title, vv. 16-17, 20: Christ’s earthly ambassadors.