Why did Paul write about death in 2 Corinthians 5?
Paul wrote about death in 2 Corinthians 5 both by inspiration and because of his physical experience. He had been close to physical death at Philippi, so his teaching on being absent from the body and present with the Lord had a personal, physical element.
Les explains that Paul's discussion of death in 2 Corinthians 5, specifically the phrase 'to be absent from the body, present with the Lord,' was given by inspiration. However, there was also a physical element involved. Paul had evidently been close to physical death at Philippi, so his writing about death was not merely doctrinal but also rooted in his own near-death experience. This personal context gave weight to his teaching on what happens after death for the believer.
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
More Questions
Why did Paul say his flesh had no rest and he was troubled on every side in 2 Corinthians 7:5?
Paul's trouble and lack of rest in Macedonia had a physical dimension as well as an inspirational one, because he had evidently been close to physical death earlier at Philippi.