The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament (200 page)

3:17 the Lord is the Spirit:
The Spirit is fully divine, coequal in glory and greatness with the Father and the Son (3:18). His work within us gives us
freedom
from the condemnation of the Old Covenant (Rom 8:1) and boldness to proclaim the gospel without fear (2 Cor 3:12; Rom 1:16). The title "Lord" is also shared by Christ (2 Cor 4:5) and God the Father (Gen 2:4, etc.) (CCC 693, 1741). 
Back to text.

3:18 being changed:
Like Moses, whose countenance was transformed by gazing on the glory of the Lord (Ex 34:29). The glory of the Spirit changes believers little by little into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29), who is the image of God (2 Cor 4:4). In the theology of Paul, formation in the
likeness
of Jesus includes suffering and dying (Rom 8:17; Phil 3:10) as well as rising to immortal life (Rom 8:11; Phil 3:21) (CCC 1701). • Images of the People of God radiating with glory can be found in Ps 34:5 and Is 60:5. 
Back to text.

4:1 we do not lose heart:
God's grace enables Paul to endure opposition and hardships no matter how difficult (12:9). 
Back to text.

4:2 disgraceful, underhanded ways:
Probably an allusion to the tactics of the "false apostles" (11:14). Paul appeals to the consciences of the Corinthians as proof that he has always been honest and straightforward in his preaching, despite false accusations of being "crafty" (12:16). 
Back to text.

4:4 the god of this world:
Satan, the chief enemy of God and his people. He is the unseen spirit that deceives men, hardens their hearts, and blinds them to the saving news of the gospel (1 Jn 5:19; Rev 20:2-3). Although defeated by Christ on the Cross (Heb 2:14), he still operates in the present age before his final demise at the end of time (Mt 25:41; Rev 20:10). 
Back to text.

4:6 Let light shine out:
A paraphrase of Gen 1:3. • Paul views conversion as the beginning of a new creation (5:17). The transformation we experience in Christ thus parallels the transformation effected by the word of God when he first dispelled the darkness with light at the dawn of history. This was already hinted at by Isaiah, who developed the theme of light's victory over darkness as a sign of salvation (Is 9:2; 49:6; 60:1-3). Paul experienced this firsthand when the blinding light of Christ knocked him to the ground on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3; 26:13) (CCC 2583). 
Back to text.

4:7 in earthen vessels:
At present, our human bodies are frail and corruptible, like jars made of clay. The difference between earthenware and
treasure
points to the distinction between the perishable nature of our bodies and the imperishable riches of grace they contain. Paul fills others with this treasure through his ministry of preaching and administering the Sacraments (CCC 1420). • Paul is using a cultic expression from the OT that refers to the sacred vessels in which sin offerings were cooked (Lev 6:28). In a similar way, we carry the sacrificial "death of Jesus" (2 Cor 4:10) in our suffering bodies.
See note on 2 Cor 5:21
. 
Back to text.

4:8-11
The grace of apostleship safeguards Paul against despair. Although in constant distress, he is not shattered or overcome by anxiety as a result of it. Hardships conform us to Christ when we follow his example of suffering (Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 2:21), while endurance is inspired by the hope of resurrection (2 Cor 4:14; Heb 11:35). 
Back to text.

4:12 but life in you:
The sacrifices of Paul are united with the sacrifice of Jesus and, for this reason, unleash the blessings of God (Col 1:24). As Christ's death brought life to the world, so the apostle's ministry of daily "dying" becomes a channel of life for others as well. 
Back to text.

4:13 I believed, and so I spoke:
A citation from the Greek I version of Ps 116:10. • Psalm 116 is a hymn of thanksgiving in which David recalls his faith in Yahweh during times of distress and remembers how he was rescued. Paul and the other apostles share this faith that God will deliver them from mortal dangers—and even death itself—and expect to thank him in return.
See note on 2 Cor 1:3-7
. 
Back to text.

4:16 wasting away:
Although death gradually overtakes our body
(outer man)
through privations, injuries, and aging, our soul
(inner man)
is increasingly enlivened by the Spirit. Only at the future resurrection will our bodies share in this inward renewal when they too are made alive and glorious.
See note on 1 Cor 15:42-44
. 
Back to text.

4:17 weight of glory:
Alludes to the Hebrew notion of "glory" (
kabod
), which is conceptualized as the heaviness of God's Divine Being.
beyond all comparison:
The trials and tribulations of life, and even its most crushing misfortunes, will fade into nothing when the glory of heaven dawns on the saints (Rom 8:18). • Paul endured many unbearable hardships as light burdens, not because they were light in themselves, but because he knew they were borne for the sake of the Lord. Joined with the expectation of future glory, the love of God lessens the intensity of our troubles and prevents us from having any sense of them (St. John Chrysostom,
Homilies on Genesis
25, 17). 
Back to text.

4:18 things that are unseen:
The invisible blessings that await us in heaven are infinite and permanent, unlike the finite and perishable goods of this world. This glory is perceived by faith, yearned for with hope, and finally attained by our love for God and neighbor (Rom 5:1-5; 8:22-25; Heb 11:1). 
Back to text.

5:1 tent
 . . .
building:
A contrast between mortal bodies and resurrected bodies. • An earthly tent is synonymous with a "perishable body" also in Wis 9:15. Beyond this, Paul has in mind the distinction between the Mosaic Tabernacle, a flimsy and temporary sanctuary used during Israel's trek through the wilderness, and the Solomonic Temple, a building that became the permanent dwelling of God in Jerusalem. This transition from tent to building in biblical history helps to illustrate how our mortal bodies will give way to immortal ones on the last day (1 Cor 15:42-44).
not made with hands:
See essay:
Not Made with Hands
at 2 Cor 5. 
Back to text.

5:4 further clothed:
Paul envisions a future life for Christians that is physical and yet immortal. In heaven we will be neither stripped of our bodies
(unclothed)
nor burdened with their present weaknesses
(mortal).
We will instead be fitted with glorified bodies made ready for heavenly life (1 Cor 15:5155; Phil 3:20-21). This teaching runs directly against the then-prevalent Greek notion that disembodiment in the next life was the ideal state of existence to be hoped for. For the heavenly state of believers between death and the resurrection of the body,
see note on 2 Cor 5:8
. 
Back to text.

5:5 as a guarantee:
Our possession of the Spirit is a down payment on the full inheritance awaiting us in heaven.
See note on 2 Cor 1:22
. 
Back to text.

5:7 we walk by faith:
A rule of the Christian life on earth, where Christ is present but hidden in the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and our souls. Only in eternity will our faith give way to the vision of God "face to face" (1 Cor 13:12) (CCC 163-64).
See note on 2 Cor 4:18
. 
Back to text.

5:8 away from the body:
The intermediate state between bodily death and bodily resurrection. During this temporary phase, the souls of the righteous enjoy the presence of God even though their bodies lie buried in a grave (CCC 1005, 1021). It is important to note that, for Paul,
absence
from the body does not mean our
presence
with the Lord will be automatic or immediate. Judgment is the first thing to follow death, and for the saints whose works are judged imperfect, a process of spiritual purification will be needed before they enter the fullness of glory. For more on the transitional state of Purgatory,
see note on 1 Cor 3:15
. 
Back to text.