2CO 5

2 Corinthians 5:14

WEB

For the love of Christ compels us; because we judge thus: that one died for all, therefore all died.

BSB

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

KJV

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Matthew Henry

Verses 12–15

2 Corinthians 5:12–15

Here observe, I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend himself and his fellow-labourers (Co2 5:13), and tells them, 1. It was not to commend themselves, nor for their own sakes, that he had spoken of their fidelity and diligence in the former verses; nor was he willing to suspect their good opinion of him. But, 2. The true reason was this, to put an argument in their mouths wherewith to answer his accusers, who made vain boastings, and gloried in appearances only; that he might give them an occasion to glory on their behalf, or to defend them against the reproaches of their adversaries. And if the people can say that the word has been manifested to their consciences, and been effectual to their conversion and edification, this is the best defence they can make for the ministry of the word, when they are vilified and reproached.

II. He gives good reasons for their great zeal and diligence. Some of Paul's adversaries had, it is likely, reproached him for his zeal and fervour, as if he had been a madman, or, in the language of our days, a fanatic; they imputed all to enthusiasm, as the Roman governor told him, Much learning has made thee mad, Act 26:24. But the apostle tells them, 1. It was for the glory of God, and the good of the church, that he was thus zealous and industrious: "Whether we be beside ourselves, or whether we be sober (whether you or others do think the one or the other), it is to God, and for his glory: and it is for your cause, or to promote your good," Co2 5:13. If they manifested the greatest ardour and vehemency at some times, and used the greatest calmness in strong reasonings at other times, it was for the best ends; and in both methods they had good reason for what they did. For, 2. The love of Christ constrained them, Co2 5:14. They were under the sweetest and strongest constraints to do what they did. Love has a constraining virtue to excite ministers and private Christians in their duty. Our love to Christ will have this virtue; and Christ's love to us, which was manifested in this great instance of his dying for us, will have this effect upon us, if it be duly considered and rightly judged of. For observe how the apostle argues for the reasonableness of love's constraints, and declares, (1.) What we were before, and must have continued to be, had not Christ died for us: We were dead, Co2 5:14. If one died for all, then were all dead; dead in law, under sentence of death; dead in sins and trespasses, spiritually dead. Note, This was the deplorable condition of all those for whom Christ died: they were lost and undone, dead and ruined, and must have remained thus miserable for ever if Christ had not died for them. (2.) What such should do, for whom Christ died; namely, that they should live to him. This is what Christ designed, that those who live, who are made alive unto God by means of his death, should live to him that died for them, and rose again for their sakes also, and that they should not live to themselves, Co2 5:15. Note, We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living and actions: and it was one end of Christ's death to cure us of this self-love, and to excite us always to act under the commanding influence of his love. A Christian's life should be consecrated to Christ; and then do we live as we ought to live when we live to Christ, who died for us.

Cross-references: 2Cor 5:13 · Acts 26:24 · 2Cor 5:14 · 2Cor 5:15

Greek interlinear

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G1063

γάρgár/gar/

and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet

Derivation: a primary particle;

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.

G26

ἀγάπηagápē/ag-ah'-pay/

(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love

Derivation: from G25;

love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

KJV: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.

See also: G25.

G5547

ΧριστόςChristós/khris-tos'/

Christ

Derivation: from G5548;

anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus

KJV: Christ.

See also: G5548.

G4912

συνέχωsynéchō/soon-ekh'-o/

constrain, hold, keep in, press, lie sick of, stop, be in a strait, straiten, be taken with, throng

Derivation: from G4862 and G2192;

to hold together, i.e. to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy

KJV: constrain, hold, keep in, press, lie sick of, stop, be in a strait, straiten, be taken with, throng.

See also: G4862, G2192.

G1473

ἐγώegṓ/eg-o'/

I, me

Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)

KJV: I, me.

For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.

See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.

G2919

κρίνωkrínō/kree'-no/

avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think

Derivation: properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially);

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

KJV: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

G3778

οὗτοςhoûtos/hoo'-tos/

he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who

, including nominative masculine plural οὗτοι , nominative feminine singular αὕτη , and nominative feminine plural αὕται

Derivation: from the article G3588 and G846;

the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated)

KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.

See also: G846, G3588.

G3754

ὅτιhóti/hot'-ee/

as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why

Derivation: neuter of G3748 as conjunction;

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.

See also: G3748.

G1520

εἷςheîs/hice/

a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some

(including the neuter (etc.) hen);

Derivation: a primary numeral;

one

KJV: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some.

See also G1527, G3367, G3391, G3762.

See also: G1527, G3367, G3391, G3762.

G5228

ὑπέρhypér/hoop-er'/

(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very

Derivation: a primary preposition;

"over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than

KJV: (+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very.

In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.

G3956

πᾶςpâs/pas/

all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever

Derivation: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word;

all, any, every, the whole

KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

G599

ἀποθνήσκωapothnḗskō/ap-oth-nace'-ko/

be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with)

Derivation: from G575 and G2348;

to die off (literally or figuratively)

KJV: be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with).

See also: G575, G2348.

G686

ἄραára/ar'-ah/

haply, (what) manner (of man), no doubt, perhaps, so be, then, therefore, truly, wherefore

Derivation: probably from G142 (through the idea of drawing a conclusion);

a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)

KJV: haply, (what) manner (of man), no doubt, perhaps, so be, then, therefore, truly, wherefore.

Often used in connection with other particles, especially G1065 or G3767 (after) or G1487 (before). Compare also G687.

See also: G142, G1065, G3767, G1487, G687.

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