2 Corinthians 5:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

NIV: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

NASB: and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

CSB: And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

NLT: He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

KJV: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

NKJV: and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Paul has described Christ's role as our death-substitute. Jesus died in the place of humanity, to pay for each person's sin. That death provides forgiveness of sins for those who come to faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:13–14). Jesus bled and died for the sake of sinners and was then raised back to life by God. Paul has said he is compelled—he is controlled and obligated—by Christ's love to keep delivering this message to more and more people.

Part of the message here is that eternal salvation is not the single, solitary purpose behind Jesus' death. He also died and was raised again so that those who trust in Him for salvation will stop living for themselves and begin to live for God. Christ intends that those who receive the gift of his death, for their sin, will respond by dying to selfishness in order to selflessly live for Him.

Second Corinthians 5:11–21 describes an appeal to those in Corinth who know Paul. It's important they understand he is not crazy for continuing to preach the gospel, even though it leads to so much suffering for him. Christ's love compels Paul to continue to tell all people that they be reconciled to God through faith in Christ, just as he was. In Christ, God is not counting people's sins against them, but instead giving them credit for Christ's righteous life. As Christ's ambassador, Paul begged all people to be reconciled to God through faith in Christ.

Why does Paul endure so much suffering for preaching about Christ? He continues here his discussion of eternity, comparing our earthly bodies to living in a tent. Paul would rather live in the eternal body God has prepared for those who trust in Christ, free from the groaning and burden that afflicts everyone here. With that to look forward to, he preaches with courage that all in Christ are new creations. In Christ, God is reconciling people to Himself, not counting their sin against them. Paul implores everyone to be reconciled to God in this way through faith in Christ.

Second Corinthians 5 follows Paul's confident declarations in the previous chapter. His suffering, though severe, is only a light, momentary affliction preparing him for eternal glory beyond all comparison. He would rather occupy his eternal body, which gives him the courage to continue his mission to preach the gospel that God is reconciling people to Himself, forgiving their sin, through faith in Christ. Those in Christ become a new creation. He concludes by imploring all to be reconciled to God, which he continues to do in the following chapter.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 4/29/2024 8:26:06 PM