Lexical Summary endémeó: To be at home, to dwell, to be present Original Word: ἐνδημέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be at home From a compound of en and demos; to be in one's own country, i.e. Home (figuratively) -- be at home (present). see GREEK en see GREEK demos HELPS Word-studies 1736 endēméō (from 1722 /en "in," intensifying 1218 /dḗmos, "people bonded together by a particular identity") – properly, be present (at home), as amongst one's own type of (kindred, related) people. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and démos Definition to be in one's own country, to be at home NASB Translation home (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1736: ἐνδημέωἐνδημέω, ἐνδήμω; 1 aorist infinitive ἐνδημῆσαι; (ἔνδημος one who is among his own people or in his own land, one who does not travel abroad; opposed to ἔκδημος), properly, to be among one's own people, dwell in one's own country, stay at home (opposed to ἐκδημέω, ἀποδημέω; see those words); equivalent to to have a fixed abode, be at home, ἐν τῷ σώματι, of life on earth, 2 Corinthians 5:6, 9; πρός τόν κύριον, of life in heaven, 2 Corinthians 5:8. (Rare in the classics, as Lysias, p. 114, 36.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Essence of the TermStrong’s Greek 1736 conveys the idea of being “at home,” residing where one truly belongs. When Paul employs it in 2 Corinthians 5, the word describes two spheres: present life “in the body” and future life “with the Lord.” Each usage presses the believer to evaluate where authentic home is found and how that reality shapes present conduct. Occurrences in Scripture 2 Corinthians 5:6 – “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 – “We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:9 – “So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home or away.” Though the verb appears only in this short passage, its concentrated repetition underscores Paul’s pastoral concern: believers must live now in light of the true homeland that awaits them. Theological Implications: Present Body vs. Eternal Home 1. A Temporary Residence Paul pictures the physical body as a tent (2 Corinthians 5:1). Just as Israel’s tabernacle was mobile and provisional, so the Christian’s current dwelling is transitory. The contrast with an eternal house “not built by human hands” highlights the superior permanence of life with Christ. 2. Confidence in the Unseen The language of “home” fosters assurance. The Spirit is given “as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 5:5), guaranteeing arrival at the believer’s true residence. Because of this secure destiny, faith, not sight, governs present choices (2 Corinthians 5:7). 3. Union with Christ To be “at home with the Lord” suggests intimate, unhindered fellowship. The phrase anticipates the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise: “In My Father’s house are many rooms” (John 14:2). The culmination of salvation is not merely escape from bodily limits but conscious, familial communion with Christ. Ministry Application: Pilgrims Yet Purposeful Paul’s vocabulary balances longing and labor: • Longing – Believers “prefer” to depart and be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8; compare Philippians 1:23). Holy homesickness is a mark of spiritual maturity. Eschatological Comfort and Assurance In times of persecution, illness, or bereavement, the promise of being “at home with the Lord” steadies the heart. The imagery moves comfort from abstract hope to relational nearness: the believer’s destination is a Person. This perspective aligns with Hebrews 11:13-16, where patriarchs desire “a better country,” and with Revelation 21:3: “The dwelling place of God is with man.” Historical and Cultural Notes In Greco-Roman society, travel often meant long separations from family and city. The term Paul selects would resonate with readers who knew the relief of finally returning home. By adopting that everyday concept, Paul reframes the Christian journey: life on earth is analogous to sojourning abroad; death is not loss but the anticipated homecoming. Related Concepts and Cross-References • Strangers and exiles – 1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:13 Practical Reflections 1. Cultivate an identity rooted in your future residence; this guards against worldliness. Summary Strong’s Greek 1736 enriches the Christian vocabulary of hope by portraying life’s ultimate destination as home with Christ. Its triune repetition in 2 Corinthians 5 invites believers to live as confident pilgrims whose every step is aimed at pleasing the One who awaits their arrival. Forms and Transliterations ενδημησαι ενδημήσαι ἐνδημῆσαι ενδημουντες ενδημούντες ἐνδημοῦντες ενδιαβάλλειν ενδιαβάλλοντες ενδιαβάλλοντές ενδιαβαλλόντων ενδιατρίψει ενδιέβαλλόν endemesai endemêsai endēmēsai endēmē̂sai endemountes endemoûntes endēmountes endēmoûntesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 5:6 V-PPA-NMPGRK: εἰδότες ὅτι ἐνδημοῦντες ἐν τῷ NAS: and knowing that while we are at home in the body KJV: that, whilst we are at home in INT: knowing that being at home in the 2 Corinthians 5:8 V-ANA 2 Corinthians 5:9 V-PPA-NMP Strong's Greek 1736 |
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