Why does Paul say he does not want to be unclothed but clothed upon?
Paul does not want to be unclothed—losing this old body and having soul and spirit separated from it. Instead, he desires to be clothed upon, because the prospect is that when this body quits functioning, believers receive a new, far better body, never again experiencing pain or sickness, being immortal.
Les explains that Paul is not so much looking forward to losing this old body and having the soul and spirit separated from it. The whole prospect, instead, is that as soon as this body has quit functioning and is no longer necessary, we have a new one, one that is far better—never again having an ounce of pain, sickness, or even a cold. Les calls this a glorious prospect and says it is coming and we are getting close. Whether young, old, or in between, one day this body will suddenly be gone, and we will be clothed upon with that which is immortal. He also points to how suddenly lives full of vigor and vitality can be gone in a split second.
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.