John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 5:9

"Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him." — 2 Corinthians 5:9 (ASV)

Wherefore we strive. Having shown how noble-spirited Christians should be in enduring afflictions, so that even in dying they may be conquerors over death (and this is so, because by afflictions and death they attain a blessed life), he now also draws another conclusion from the same source — that they must, by all means, make it their main desire to please God.

Indeed, it is inevitable that the hope of a resurrection and reflection on the judgment will awaken this desire in us. Conversely, the true reason we are so lazy and negligent in our duty is that we seldom, if ever, think of what should be constantly remembered: that we are here as sojourners for a short time, so that after finishing our course, we may return to Christ.

Observe, however, what he says — that this is the desire both of the living and of the dead, by which statement the immortality of the soul is again confirmed.