<p>5:8- see on Lk. 12:37.</p><p><i>Yes, we are of good courage; and we would rather be absent from the body and at home with the Lord</i>- The reference of the &quot;rather&quot; is to being &quot;at home in the body&quot; (:6; verse 7 is an aside). Paul is confident of leaving the body and being at home with the Lord. As explained on :6, he has in view how we should right now in this life not feel at home in earthly life, and should not go away &quot;be absent&quot; from the Lord but rather be at home with Him in His family now. But this shall come to ultimate term when He returns, when like Lot we leave Sodom, we leave the things of this bodily life. He is confident, by grace, of that happening at the Lord's return. This interpretation is confirmed as we read on in :9,10 of our acceptance with Him then, and of the judgment seat of Christ at His return. This interpretation makes sense of the connection between confidence, and becoming fully &quot;at home&quot; with the Lord at His return and the judgment seat.</p>