1 FOR we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, [ When we die, and our bodies are laid to rest; our body is the tabernacle for our apirir while we complete the journey on earth.] we have a building of God, [ Our spirit goes back to him from where we came. ] an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, [ Life is not easy - it has obsticles and trails that often make use uncomfortable and we may even complain a little. ] earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: [ The Jews attribute garments to the soul, both in this and the other world; and as they hold that all human souls pre- exist, they say that, previously to their being appointed to bodies, they have a covering which answers the same end to them before they come into life as their bodies do afterwards. And they state that the design of God in sending souls into the world is, that they may get themselves a garment by the study of the law and good works. So in otherwords we saw that our Father in Heaven had a body of flesh and bones and we desired to be like him - so here we are. ]

3 If so be that being clothed [ So this could be better translated as "If so be that being [endowed] we shall not be found naked.". The word endowed appears only once in the New Testament as the word endued in Luk 24:49. However, the greek word used is "endyō" which is translated as; put on, or had not on (18x), clothed with (2x), clothed in (2x), have on (2x), clothe with (1x), be endued (1x), arrayed in (1x), be clothed (1x), and is used with the nuance of 'being enveloped by' which is very much like "being encircled by" in the context of robes of righteousness. If you retranslate the word "endyo" to "endowed" gain some interesting perspectives as to how we might better understand our own temple experience where we put on, are clothed with, and endowed, or encircled by the robes of righteousness. ] we shall not be found naked. [ By living and trying to become like him by keeping his commandments we will not be left wanting when we meet him - we will have received his image in our countenances. Remember that when Adam was found naked he was provided an garment of skin.]

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. [ To be raised in the ressurrection in robes of righteousiness D&C 29:43 Note what Adam Clarke has to say about this verse.

"It is plain, also, that by this garment or covering of the soul they mean simply what we understand by acquiring the image of God-being made holy. This image they assert "Adam lost by his fall, and they represent man in a sinful state as being naked." so they represent the Israelites before their making the molten calf, as having received holy garments from Mount Sinai; but afterwards, having worshipped the calf, they were stripped of these, and left naked." Adam Clarke Bible Commentary]

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, [ That is the purpose of this life "as man is God once was, as God is man can become" this is the great plan for us, to gain bodies, to learn to live righteous lives and then to return to him and report.] who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [while we are here on earth having left our pre-mortal state in which we dwelt with him.]

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) [In that pre-mortal estate we lived with him, we walked and talked with him he was there for us to see, on this earth that is not the case - we must live by faith that is part of the test.]

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

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

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. ["for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Sam 16:7]

13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, [ If we are not to live for ourselves then who are we to live for? The answer is Christ - the objective here is to live a life of service to him. So make sure what we are doing please the Lord. ] but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; [ What are the old things that pass away when we become a disciple? we loose our pride, we are more teachable as we relize that we do not know it all, our sins are removed, we are lost, ] behold, all things are become new. [ How do all things become new? well for one we have a new master, a new heart, a new relationship, they become new because they have a new spirit, we promise to become one in purpose, we are clean from sin, we have eternal destiny]

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, [ Reconciliation comes from Latin roots re, meaning “again”; con, meaning “with”; and sella, meaning “seat.” Reconciliation, therefore, literally means “to sit again with.” To be seen again with God. What does it mean to reconcil in this case? 1) Restore friendly relations between 2) Cause to coexist in harmony; make or show to be compatible. the word from which the original text was translated is "katallagh", which comes from katallassw, meaning to change thoroughly. so what is he teaching about the mission of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to be reconciled to God? What is required in order to reconcil ourselves to God? Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Reconciliation is the process of ransoming man from his state of sin and spiritual darkness and of restoring him to a state of harmony and unity with Deity. …Through his fall Adam brought spiritual death into the world; that is man was cast out of the presence of God and died as to things pertainint to righteousiness. ...Through the atonement - Christ brought spiritual ilfe into the world. Man, who was once carnal and evil, who lived after the manner of the flesh, becomes a new creature of the Holy Ghost; he is born again; and, even as a little child, he is alive in Christ” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 2:422–23).] and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [ Or the purpose of bring us back to the ablity to be seen again with God. ]

19 To wit, [The word wit is an old English verb which literally means “to know” or “to find out.” When combined with the word to, the expression “to wit” usually means “that is” or “namely.” This is the use made of it here. However, the expression in 2 Corinthians 8:1, “we do you to wit of the grace of God,” means “we want you to know of the grace of God.”] that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, [ What is an ambassador? Ambassador is a person sent from one sovereign power to another; and is supposed to represent the person of the sovereign by whom he is deputed. Christ while on earth represented the person of the sovereign of the world; his apostles and their successors represent the person of Christ. ] as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, [ another translation based on the original text might be - He made him who knew no sin, (who was innocent,) a sin-offering for us. Adam Clarke] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [ By changing the order of these words we might get a better idea of what he is trying to say. "For God hath made Christ who knew no sin, to be sin for us; that we may be made the righeouiness of God in him." In other words Christ chose to become like us so that we can choose to become like him.]