2 corinthians 5:8

[Craig]

 Hey there L. Ray Smith , love your website.

I have a question about 2 corinthians 5:8.....A lot of "christians use this verse to say that when you die your soul floats away to heaven. I obviously have found that not to be true but cant quite make sense of this verse and explain it to others.  Can you lend some help

From a cajun in south louisiana
Jacob

Dear Jacob:  Most Christians believe that this verse read: "to be absent from the body   IS   to be present with the Lord."  Not so. Even the King James doesnot have the word "is" in it, but rather "and."

Here is maybe the very best translation on this verse:

"Rather to be away from homes, out of the body, and to COME home unto the Lord"  (Rotherham's Bible).

Either way: King James--"and TO BE [FUTURE]..."  Or Rotherham--"and to COME..."  It is something that happens sometime after death, not at death. It, of course, happens at the Resurrection of the dead, which is yet future.

God be with you,

Ray