ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 5 v6

ABSENT FROM THE LORD. AMBROSIASTER: God is still present, but because we cannot see him we are said to be absent from him as long as we are in the body. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

PILGRIMS AND WANDERERS. PELAGIUS: As long as we are in this present body, we are tossed about by events in this world and do not know how it will all end. But once we have left the body, we know that we are going to be with God, since we are freed from the uncertain and hostile cares of this world. Here we are pilgrims, and as wanderers we should not worry too much about the things of this world. Let us be content with what is necessary and concentrate all our desire and longing on getting to our Father’s home. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 5.

FOREIGNERS FOR A BRIEF TIME. CASSIODORUS: We have been expelled in the person of Adam from our abode in paradise, and we have our lodging in this land because we do not possess the blessedness of that native land; so we are seen to be foreigners in this world. As Paul likewise says, “While we are in this body, we are absent from the Lord.” EXPLANATION OF THE PSALMS 118.54.

HASTENING HOME. JEROME: We who in this world “are exiled from the Lord” walk about on earth, it is true, but we are hastening on our way to heaven. For here we do not have a lasting place, but we are wayfarers and pilgrims, like all our fathers. HOMILY 63 ON PSALMS.

THE HOPE OF THE FUTURE. AUGUSTINE: Man indeed brought death to himself and to the Son of Man, but the Son of Man, by dying and rising again, brought life to man. … He wished to suffer this in the sight of his enemies, that they might think him, as it were, forsaken, and that the grace of the New Testament might be entrusted to us, to make us learn to seek another happiness, which we now possess by faith, but then we shall behold it. “For while we are in the body,” says the apostle, “we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith and not by sight.” Therefore, we now live in hope, but then we shall enjoy reality. LETTER 140, TO HONORATUS 9.

2 Cor