2 Corinthians 5:11 kjv
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
2 Corinthians 5:11 nkjv
Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
2 Corinthians 5:11 niv
Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
2 Corinthians 5:11 esv
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
2 Corinthians 5:11 nlt
Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
2 Corinthians 5 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ | Parallel thought of divine accountability |
| Rom 14:10 | Why do you judge your brother? | Admonition against judging fellow believers |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account | Emphasis on God's omniscience and accountability |
| Matt 25:31-46 | The sheep and the goats judgment | Judgment based on actions towards others |
| John 5:29 | and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life | Resurrection of life for the righteous |
| Acts 24:16 | So I always strive to maintain a clear conscience toward God and toward man. | Paul's consistent goal of a clear conscience |
| Gal 1:10 | For do I now persuade men, or God? | Paul's focus on pleasing God over men |
| 1 Thes 2:4 | but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel | God's approval as the basis of ministry |
| Phil 3:20-21 | who will transform our lowly body, that it may be conformed to His glorious body | Hope of transformation through Christ |
| Eph 5:27 | that He might present her to Himself a glorious church | Christ presenting the church to Himself |
| 1 Pet 4:7 | But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for prayers. | Urgency in living for God |
| 1 John 3:2 | Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. | Future likeness to God |
| Col 1:28 | Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. | Goal of presenting believers mature |
| Prov 11:30 | The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. | Wisdom in winning souls |
| Ps 119:30 | I have chosen the way of truth; I set your judgments before me. | Commitment to God's truth |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. | Confidence in the gospel |
| Acts 13:43 | And when the meeting broke up, many Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas. | Gentile acceptance of the message |
| Acts 18:4 | And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. | Paul's persuasive ministry methods |
| Titus 3:3 | For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. | Past state of believers, emphasizing transformation |
| 1 Cor 4:5 | Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes | Discouragement of premature judgment |
| Rev 20:12 | And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. | Vision of final judgment |
| Ps 105:4 | Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! | Seeking God's presence |
2 Corinthians 5 verses
2 Corinthians 5 11 Meaning
This verse expresses Paul's sincere desire and conviction to persuade people by demonstrating the truth and seriousness of the Christian message. Knowing the fear of the Lord (i.e., a healthy reverence and respect for God), he actively seeks to persuade others. The "we" likely refers to Paul and his companions, emphasizing a unified conviction and approach in their ministry. The ultimate aim is to make them manifest to God and, consequently, to present them as trustworthy to those who believe.
2 Corinthians 5 11 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 5 centers on the believer's new identity in Christ, their present struggles, and the glorious future awaiting them. Paul is dealing with opposition and criticisms from within the Corinthian church, likely from Judaizers or false apostles. In this section, Paul is defending his ministry and his apostleship. He speaks of the new creation in Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a seal of future redemption, and his personal ministry as an ambassador for Christ. He is emphasizing the reality and seriousness of divine judgment and the transformed life that should result from this understanding, urging both himself and his audience towards a life lived in accordance with God's will. This particular verse comes as Paul transitions to discussing his own motivation and method of ministry to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 5 11 Word Analysis
- οἴδαμεν (oidamen): "we know" - This is a first-person plural, present active indicative of the verb oida, meaning to know, perceive, or understand. It denotes a certain knowledge or assurance.
- οὖν (oun): "therefore" or "then" - This is a conjunction that draws a conclusion from what has been previously stated or implied. It links the following statement as a logical consequence.
- φοβούμενοι (phoboumenoi): "fearing" - This is a present passive participle from the verb phobeō. In this context, it conveys not a cowering, paralyzing fear, but rather a reverent awe and deep respect for the Lord, a healthy fear that acknowledges His power, judgment, and holiness.
- τὸν Κύριον (ton Kurion): "the Lord" - Refers to God, specifically Jesus Christ, acknowledging His sovereign authority and lordship.
- πειθομεν (peithomen): "we persuade" - First-person plural, present active indicative of the verb peithō. It signifies the active effort of convincing or influencing others towards belief or a certain course of action.
- τοὺς ἀνθρώπους (tous anthrōpous): "men" or "people" - Refers to humanity in general.
- δὲ (de): "but" - A conjunction that often indicates contrast or a shift in thought.
- ἐν (en): "in" - A preposition indicating presence or state.
- τῷ Θεῷ (tō Theō): "God" - Used here to indicate the source or the ground of revelation and the One before whom they are made manifest.
- φανερoi (phaneroi): "manifest" or "known" - Adjective from phaneros. It means visible, evident, or clear.
- καὶ (kai): "and" - A conjunction connecting words, phrases, or clauses.
- εἰδότας (eidotas): "knowing" - Masculine accusative plural, perfect active participle of eido. This implies a state of knowledge or awareness. It emphasizes that their conviction is based on an inner certainty, a spiritual understanding.
- ὑμῖν (hymin): "you" (plural) - The direct recipients of Paul's message.
- τῆς συνειδήσεως (tēs syneidēseōs): "conscience" - Genitive singular of syneidēsis (consciousness, conscience). It relates to the inner sense of right and wrong, the witness of the soul.
- ὑμῶν (hymōn): "your" - Possessive pronoun.
Words/Phrases Group Analysis:
- "Knowing the fear of the Lord": This is the foundational motivation. It's not a fear of punishment in the sense of dread, but a profound respect and reverence that stems from knowing God's character and ultimate authority. This knowledge leads to the desire to act wisely and please Him.
- "We persuade men": This highlights the active and deliberate nature of Paul's ministry. It is not passive presentation, but a concerted effort to bring others to conviction, grounded in truth and love.
- "We are made manifest to God": This refers to their integrity and authenticity before God, that their motives and actions are known to Him. This is contrasted with being manifest to men.
- "And to be manifest in your conscience": This shows the impact of their authentic ministry. By living openly and truthfully before God, their integrity would become evident to the Corinthians through their own consciences. It implies that their spiritual sincerity would speak for itself.
2 Corinthians 5 11 Bonus Section
The phrase "the fear of the Lord" is a significant biblical concept, appearing frequently in the Old Testament (e.g., Proverbs 1:7; 9:10) as the beginning of wisdom. Paul echoes this theme, connecting a correct understanding of divine sovereignty and judgment to effective and ethical ministry. His persuasive approach is not manipulative rhetoric but a sober appeal rooted in divine reality. The distinction between being "manifest to God" and "manifest to you [in your conscience]" highlights that authentic ministry has a twofold validation: internal integrity before God and external impact discernible by human conscience. This emphasizes that the source of truth is God, but its reception is processed through human understanding and discernment.
2 Corinthians 5 11 Commentary
Paul underscores his genuine apostolic concern and conviction. He doesn't seek to manipulate or control, but to persuade based on a profound understanding of God's ultimate judgment ("the fear of the Lord"). This reverence for God is what drives him to communicate the Gospel with earnestness. His own integrity, his life lived openly before God, is presented as evidence that lends weight to his persuasive efforts. He aims for the Corinthians not just to hear his words, but to discern the truth of his message through their own understanding of his character, made transparent by God Himself. The objective is a genuine, God-honoring persuasion that leads to belief and a transformed life, validated by the witness of their own enlightened consciences.