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2 Corinthians 5:3

if so be that being clothed we will not be found naked.
2 Corinthians 5:3 · World English Bible
Parallel translations
  • KJV If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
  • BSB because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
  • NKJV if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
  • NASB since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked.
  • NLT For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

The hope is to be 'clothed' rather than found 'naked,' that is, to receive the resurrection body and not be left bare. Believers will not be left without a glorified existence.

Overview

Paul continues the clothing metaphor: being 'clothed' means receiving the heavenly body, while 'naked' likely pictures a disembodied or unprepared state. The exact sense is debated among faithful interpreters, but the assurance is clear that believers in Christ will be fully clothed with immortal life, not left exposed.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 4

  • Gen 3:7–11Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.
  • Rev 16:15“Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he doesn’t walk naked, and they see his shame.”
  • Rev 3:18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
  • Exod 32:25When Moses saw that the people had broken loose, (for Aaron had let them loose for a derision among their enemies),

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (3)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

Christ at the center

In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.

How 2 Corinthians 5:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.