What is the 'house not made with hands' in 2 Corinthians 5:1 and where is it?
The “house not made with hands” is the eternal building of God, not a temporary tent. It contrasts with the earthly tabernacle—the body of flesh—which dissolves. This house is permanent for eternity, and the text places it in the heavens.
Les explains that the earthly house is like a tent, a temporary dwelling place. The body is just a dwelling place for the real person—the mind, will, emotions, and personality—that goes on into eternity. This earthly tabernacle will dissolve and return to the earth unless the rapture changes it. Paul then says we have a building of God, not a tent but something permanent, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
More Questions
What does 'earthly house' mean in 2 Corinthians 5:1?
The Greek word behind 'earthly house' in 2 Corinthians 5 speaks more like a tent, a temporary dwelling place.
What does the Greek word for 'earthly house' in 2 Corinthians 5:1 actually mean?
In 2 Corinthians 5:1 the Greek word behind 'earthly house' means more like a tent — a temporary dwelling place.