Note the condition presented in verses 1-9; for the passage is one: (a) "The earthly house," "in this," "in this tabernacle," "mortality," "at home in the body," "absent from the Lord," are expressions which refer to Christians in this earthly life. (b) "Found naked," "unclothed," refer to a state or condition in death. (c) "A building of God," "house not made with hands," "clothed upon," "being clothed," "house which is from heaven," "swallowed up of life," "absent from the body" (from the mortal state), "present with the Lord," refer to the condition of immortality which awaits the people of God. Compare with Rom. 8:23. What Paul longed and groaned for in Romans he did in Corinthians. He wanted a better condition than mortality here gave; but that was not death. He did not wish to be naked or unclothed; he wanted mortality to be swallowed up of life, in the resurrection and the gift of immortality at Christ's coming. The same three conditions are set forth in the second scripture: to live or to die, or the departing and being with Christ. Paul did not know which to choose—life or death. In either way God would get glory. But Paul did have choice of another thing, namely, to go to Christ, to be translated, to be with Him. This was "far better" than the other two things. The word rendered "departing" is in Luke 12:36 rendered "return." The comfort offered to mortals is through the resurrection or translation. 1 Thess. 4:13-18.