2 Corinthians 5:14 kjv
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2 Corinthians 5:14 nkjv
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 5:14 niv
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
2 Corinthians 5:14 esv
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
2 Corinthians 5:14 nlt
Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.
2 Corinthians 5 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 5:14 | "For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that one has died for all, therefore all died;" | The verse itself |
| Rom 5:8 | "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." | Christ's death as evidence of God's love |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." | God's great love in giving Jesus |
| Rom 6:3 | "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" | Union with Christ's death |
| Gal 2:20 | "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." | Personal application of Christ's death |
| 1 Cor 15:3 | "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures," | Christ's death for sins |
| 1 Pet 3:18 | "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit." | Substitutionary atonement |
| Isa 53:5 | "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." | Old Testament prophecy of vicarious suffering |
| 2 Cor 8:9 | "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you might become rich through his poverty." | Christ's self-sacrifice for others |
| Eph 5:2 | "and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." | Christ's sacrificial love |
| Heb 9:26 | "But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." | Christ's unique sacrifice |
| 1 John 2:2 | "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." | Christ's atoning sacrifice for all |
| Titus 2:14 | "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, who are zealous for good works." | Christ's redemptive purpose |
| Acts 17:28 | "for in him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘Canaanite god.’" (Greek: en auto)" | All in Christ |
| 1 Cor 1:18 | "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." | The power of the cross |
| Col 1:19-20 | "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." | Reconciliation through the cross |
| John 12:32 | "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." | Jesus drawing all to Himself |
| Rom 14:7-9 | "For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's." | Life and death belong to the Lord |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive what is due to him for the things done in the body, whether good or bad." | Accountability before Christ |
| Heb 13:20 | "Now may the God of peace who brought up from the dead our great shepherd of the sheep, from the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord," | The Shepherd brought from the dead |
2 Corinthians 5 verses
2 Corinthians 5 14 Meaning
The love of Christ compels us because we are convinced that one died for all. Therefore, all have died.
2 Corinthians 5 14 Context
This verse is found within Paul's broader argument in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 concerning the ministry of reconciliation. Paul is elaborating on the transformative power of the new creation in Christ, emphasizing that believers are ambassadors for Christ. He stresses that this ministry is fueled by the overwhelming love of Christ. The preceding verses (5:12-13) address the Corinthians' potential perception that Paul and his companions were acting excessively or out of an inappropriate outward show, perhaps related to their enthusiastic and divinely inspired ministry. Paul counters this by stating their actions are "for God" and done out of love, implying that their zeal stems from their comprehension of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for humanity. The immediate context is setting the stage for his discussion on the new life in Christ, the implications of Christ's death for believers, and the urgency of their ministry of reconciliation. Historically, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, a context marked by intellectualism, social divisions, and challenges to apostolic authority.
2 Corinthians 5 14 Word Analysis
- For (gar): Connects this statement to the previous one, providing a reason.
- the love (agape): Divine, unconditional, sacrificial love. This is not merely emotion but an active, volitional commitment.
- of Christ (Christou): Possessive, belonging to Christ; the source and example of this love.
- controls (sunechei): Literally "holds together," "keeps fast," or "binds." It implies being held by, surrounded by, and compelled by. It suggests an encompassing and irresistible force.
- us (hemas): The apostle Paul and his fellow ministers, but by extension, all believers.
- since (epei): Because, for. Introduces the grounds for their being controlled.
- we have concluded (krinomen): To judge, decide, determine, reckon. It signifies a firm conviction reached through reasoned judgment.
- this (touto): Refers to the following statement: that one died for all.
- that (hoti): Introduces the content of their conviction.
- one (heis): Referring to Jesus Christ.
- has died (apethanen): Died, passed away. Refers to Christ's literal death on the cross.
- for (huper): For, on behalf of, in the place of. This highlights substitutionary atonement.
- all (pantos): All people, humanity universally.
- therefore (ara oun): Consequently, hence. A logical conclusion drawn from the premise.
- all (pantes): All humanity, understood corporately as represented by or identified with the "one" who died.
- died (apethanen): Died. This signifies a spiritual death, a reckoning or identification with Christ's death, bringing about a cessation of the old life under sin.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis
- "the love of Christ controls us": This phrase underscores that the powerful, divine love demonstrated by Christ is the primary motivation and driving force behind Paul's ministry. It is not self-generated enthusiasm but a response to Christ's all-surpassing love, which captive and directs their actions.
- "since we have concluded this": This points to a deeply held theological certainty. It's not a speculative idea but a reasoned and affirmed truth based on revealed fact. The "conclusion" is the gospel message itself.
- "that one has died for all": This is the core of the Christian gospel: the singular, substitutionary death of Jesus Christ as representative of and for the entire human race. The "for all" emphasizes the universality of Christ's atonement, even though its benefits are applied to individuals.
- "therefore all died": This is the consequence of Christ's death. Believers, through their union with Christ (implied by the word "therefore" linking back to His death), are considered dead to sin and the old life. It speaks to the death of the old self, the self that was under the dominion of sin. This "death" is not physical death but a legal and spiritual reckoning, a release from the power and penalty of sin, paving the way for new life.
2 Corinthians 5 14 Bonus Section
The concept of "all died" reflects the principle of federal headship found throughout Scripture, where humanity is represented by Adam, and subsequently, by Christ. Just as Adam's sin brought death to all humanity (Romans 5:12), Christ's atoning death has the potential to bring life to all who believe. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul transitions to explain that if one died for all, then all who profess to follow Christ have "died," and importantly, this death leads to freedom from self-centered living, urging believers to live for Christ. This verse highlights the objective reality of Christ's atoning work as the foundation for the subjective experience of spiritual death to sin and life to righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5 14 Commentary
Paul states that the unparalleled love demonstrated by Christ's sacrificial death compels him and others. This compulsion isn't coercion but a deep-seated motivation arising from a profound understanding of what Christ's singular death means. They are convinced, through faith and reasoning upon the facts of the gospel, that because Christ, the one righteous man, died for all humanity, it is as if all people have spiritually died with Him. This means that the old existence, tied to sin and its condemnation, has been brought to an end. This understanding fuels their ministry, driving them to share this life-changing message of reconciliation. It is an affirmation of the finished work of Christ on the cross, signifying a definitive break with the past for all who are united with Him, enabling a new life in His presence.