2 Corinthians 5:14-15
What is written? (ESV)
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 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.
What does it say?
Christ’s love controls us because we have concluded that one died for all, and therefore all died. He died for all so that those who live no longer live for themself but for Him who died and was raised for them.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is speaking of the temporary state the Christian finds themself in – yearning to be “further clothed” but still in this “tent” in which we “groan” to be with Him (vss 1-4). His encouragement is to be reconciled to God through Christ and the “ministry of reconciliation” that he preaches (vss 16-20).
How 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 is applied across Bible answers
For whom did Christ die?
Paul makes a clear distinction between two groups: (1) the "all" - who Jesus died for, and (2) "those who live" - the ones that no longer live for themselves (e.g. believe and accept Christ).
He goes on to say that "in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself" through the "ministry of reconciliation [gospel]" (vs 18) and concludes, "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (vs 20).
