2 Corinthians 5:2

For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven.

In this we groan ... has reference to mortal infirmity and the increasing burden of years which press more and more upon every earthly life. Paul's own extraordinary hardships and sufferings might have been in view primarily in this place; but, as Kelcy said, "In this body we groan from pains to which flesh is heir."[5] Or, as Filson stated it: "This reflects Paul's desire to be free from the afflictions and imperfections of this life."[6]

Longing to be clothed upon ... The notion that Paul was here expressing a dread of being a disembodied spirit during the interval between death and the judgment is obviously incorrect. "Clothed upon" does not refer to something Paul hoped for at death but to the ultimate replacement of the old body with a new one in the final day. The idea is that of "putting on a new garment to replace the old one."[7] Some commentators, arguing from the peculiar expression "clothed upon," have interpreted this as something that would be done to the physical body, and not to something that would replace it.

[5] Raymond C. Kelcy, Second Corinthians (Austin, Texas: R. B. Sweet Company, 1967), p. 32.

[6] Floyd V. Filson, The Interpreter's Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1953), Vol. X, p. 327.

[7] Ibid.