Interesting Parallels

I've already written about the parallel between 2 Corinthians 5.1 and Hebrews 9.11 regarding the heavenly tabernacle.

There are others, such as:

• internal parallel between the small and temporary troubles in the present that produces an eternal glory that outweighs them (2 Cor 4.17) and in which Paul rejoices (Philippians) and endures everything without complaining or arguing (Phil. 2.14). God comforts us in our troubles (2 Cor 1.4). These small troubles are not worth groaning and sighing (2 Cor 5.4). Their sufferings exhibit the life of Jesus and light shines in their hearts (4.6-10). This doesn't sound like groaning and sighing. What causes Paul to groan and sigh are the troubles within the church because not enough people have put on the 'new man' and letting the 'old man' die (Ephesians 4.24); put on the new nature of righteousness and holiness. 'While we live in these tabernacles [bodies of Christ--note that the Greek does not have the word earthly in this verse], we groan and sigh..." and I might add perhaps for Paul, "it's why I've had to write 3 letters to you and not shown up in person to rebuke you" (2 Cor 1.23).
• being naked and clothed by God (2 Cor 5.3) are similar to what happens to Adam and Eve. God clothes them in leather to cover their shame and show redemption and restoration to righteousness. It seems Paul is talking about our present state, not some future state.
• We want new clothing because we don't want to put a new patch on old clothing. It will leave a bigger tear/hole, exposing more of us (Matthew 9.16). Here Christ is talking about the religious institutions. Later Christ warns about being expelled from those institutions, perhaps leaving us 'naked' (John 16.2) but we want protection within a God-built dwelling (2 Cor 5.3) which might be the temple of God, which the church/ekklesia/congregation is supposed to be (1 Cor 3.16, 6.19; 2 Cor 6.16; Eph 2.21; 1 Pet 2.5). A temple is more permanent than a tabernacle. Righteousness is available because the Holy Spirit is here (John 16.10; 2 Cor 5.5) and is pledged/guaranteed through Him (2 Cor 1.22).
• The early church shared abundantly with each other (Acts 2) as taught by Christ in his parable of the Shrewd Manager. "Here's the lesson: use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to the eternal tabernacles" (Luke 16.9). The tabernacles were evidence of God's presence here on earth. Even Peter wanted to build tabernacles after seeing Christ with two prophets (the Transfiguration). 

"So we are always confident [in what we do and/or that God is preparing/building His body of life, his tabernacle]...even though we are not present with the Lord, because we are present here in [His] body [of believers]." (2 Cor 5.6--amplified translation by the author).

Okay, so the first commentator to write extensively (Chrysostom) back in the 380-400 A.D. era deals with 2 Corinthians 5 the same way that modern commentators do. However, Christendom was in the midst of being formalized and institutionalized. Maybe it's a little of 'the emperor has no clothes' attitude to avoid admitting that the early church got it wrong trying to establish its own religious institutions, aka Judaism and every other religion. Perhaps we just didn't know how to have a congregation without all the religious trappings. Interestingly, in none of the letters to troubled churches do the apostles advise them to tighten up the organizational structures, policies and rituals. New wine requires new wineskins--a whole new way of being a body of believers. By interpreting 2 Corinthians 5 as a discussion of our individual, physical bodies, Chrysostom and all those who follow him avoid the institutional, congregational teaching here.