11 Therefore , knowing the fear of the Lord , we persuade men , but we are made manifest to God ; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences .
12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart . 13 For if we are beside ourselves , it is for God ; if we are of sound mind , it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this , that one died for all , therefore all died ; 15 and He died for all , so that they who live might no longer live for themselves , but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf .
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh ; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh , yet now we know Him in this way no longer . 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ , he is a new creature ; the old things passed away ; behold , new things have come . 18 Now all these things are from God , who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation , 19 namely , that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself , not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation . 20 Therefore , we are ambassadors for Christ , as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ , be reconciled to God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:11-20
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:9-15
(Read 2 Corinthians 5:9-15)
The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal and diligence were for the glory of God and the good of the church. Christ's love to us will have a like effect upon us, if duly considered and rightly judged. All were lost and undone, dead and ruined, slaves to sin, having no power to deliver themselves, and must have remained thus miserable for ever, if Christ had not died. We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living and actions. A Christian's life should be devoted to Christ. Alas, how many show the worthlessness of their professed faith and love, by living to themselves and to the world!
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
(Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)
The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things. The heart of the unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with him. Yet there may be reconciliation. Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein. Though God cannot lose by the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept the salvation he offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Can any lose, labour, or suffer too much for Him, who gave his beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins, that they might be made the righteousness of God in him?