2 Corinthians 5 15

2 Corinthians 5:15 kjv

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

2 Corinthians 5:15 nkjv

and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

2 Corinthians 5:15 niv

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

2 Corinthians 5:15 esv

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.

2 Corinthians 5:15 nlt

He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

2 Corinthians 5 verses

2 Corinthians 5 15 Meaning

This verse states that Jesus Christ's death was a vicarious act for all humanity, and its ultimate purpose is to transform the lives of believers. Those who receive this new life through Him are no longer to pursue self-centered desires, but rather to dedicate their lives to serving and glorifying Christ, who willingly died and victoriously rose again to provide their salvation.

2 Corinthians 5 15 Context

2 Corinthians 5 is a profound chapter exploring the believer's perspective on life, death, and ministry. Paul begins by contrasting our temporary earthly dwelling with our eternal heavenly home, expressing a yearning for the latter while living by faith in the present. This leads to a discussion of Christ's judgment seat (Bema Seat) and the motivation it provides for Paul's earnest service. Verses 11-13 speak of persuading men out of reverence for the Lord, and doing all things for God's glory and the Corinthians' benefit. Verse 14 introduces the crucial motivation: "For the love of Christ controls us." Verse 15, then, flows directly from this love, explaining why Christ's love is so compelling—He died for all so that their lives might be wholly consecrated to Him. This verse sets the stage for the powerful truths of being a "new creation" (v. 17) and engaging in the "ministry of reconciliation" (v. 18-20), emphasizing the transformative power and purpose of Christ's sacrifice.

2 Corinthians 5 15 Word analysis

• and He died (καὶ ἀπέθανεν, kai apethanen): "And" connects to the preceding thought of Christ's love compelling them (v. 14). "He died" is a simple, historical fact about Jesus Christ. The aorist indicative verb (ἀπέθανεν) emphasizes the singular, definitive, and complete act of death on the cross, an act of substitution and sacrifice. It signifies the foundation of God's redemptive plan.
• for all (ὑπὲρ πάντων, hyper pantōn): The preposition "hyper" (ὑπὲρ) signifies "on behalf of," or "instead of," carrying the weight of substitution. "All" (πάντων) indicates the universality of Christ's redemptive work—it was sufficient for all humanity. This highlights God's expansive salvific purpose, offering reconciliation to every person without distinction, making salvation broadly available, though it must be personally received.
• that (ἵνα, hina): This conjunction introduces a purpose clause. It indicates the intended outcome or divine goal of Christ's death. This is not merely a consequence, but God's deliberate design.
• those who live (οἱ ζῶντες, hoi zōntes): This refers to believers who, through faith in Christ's death and resurrection, have been made spiritually alive. It contrasts with spiritual death in sin (Eph 2:1). These are individuals who have experienced new birth and possess eternal life.
• might no longer live (μηκέτι ... ζῶσιν, mēketi ... zōsin): "Might no longer" (μηκέτι) denotes a definitive break from the former way of life. The negation emphasizes a radical shift. The verb "live" (ζῶσιν) indicates continuous action. The purpose is a complete transformation of one's entire existence.
• for themselves (ἑαυτοῖς, heautois): This phrase describes self-centered living, where one's own desires, ambitions, comforts, and glory are the primary focus. It signifies a life apart from God's will and purpose, characteristic of humanity's fallen nature.
• but for Him (ἀλλὰ τῷ ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν ἀποθανόντι, alla tō hyper autōn apothanonti): "But for Him" introduces a stark contrast, presenting the alternative and righteous way of living. "Him" refers back to Christ. This highlights a shift from egocentricity to Christocentricity, where Christ becomes the sole object and motivation of their lives. The accompanying phrase clarifies which "Him."
• who died and rose again for them (καὶ ἐγερθέντι, kai egerthenti): This clause reiterates the foundation of their new life—Christ's sacrifice. Importantly, it adds "and rose again" (ἐγερθέντι), the past participle for "was raised." The resurrection is integral; it validates Christ's victory over sin and death, empowers new life (Rom 6:4), and serves as the ultimate guarantee of future resurrection and hope for believers. The phrase "for them" (αὐτῶν) again uses hyper, stressing that His death and resurrection directly benefited those who now live.

• "He died for all, that those who live...": This highlights the grand scope of Christ's atoning sacrifice ("for all") and the specific beneficiaries of its transformative power ("those who live"). It's a divine transaction and a divine purpose for a particular group that responds to the universal offer.
• "might no longer live for themselves but for Him": This presents the core ethical and spiritual imperative of the Christian life. Christ's sacrifice calls for a radical reorientation from self-gratification and self-sufficiency to complete devotion and service to Him. It's a fundamental change in allegiance and purpose.
• "who died and rose again for them": This phrase encapsulates the two foundational pillars of Christian doctrine: the crucifixion (atoning death) and the resurrection (victory over death, source of new life). It connects the reason for living for Christ back to the totality of His redemptive work on behalf of believers.

2 Corinthians 5 15 Bonus section

This verse implies a profound "new creation" theology, which Paul directly states in verse 17. The transition from living "for themselves" to living "for Him" is not simply an adjustment of habits but a fundamental re-wiring of one's deepest motivations and identity. It signifies a death to the old self (identified with Christ's death) and a resurrection to a new life (identified with Christ's resurrection). This is an inner transformation empowered by the Holy Spirit, making the seemingly impossible—a complete inversion of natural human selfishness—possible. The phrase "hyper pantōn" (for all) should be understood within the broader context of God's universal invitation to salvation, but the "hina" (that) clause clearly shows the intended outcome applies to those who accept this grace and become "those who live," implying a distinct, personal appropriation of Christ's sacrifice. The logic is that since Christ bore all for us, our response should be to offer all for Him.

2 Corinthians 5 15 Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:15 is a foundational verse that encapsulates the Christian life's purpose, flowing directly from the preceding assertion of Christ's compelling love. It unveils the dual nature of Christ's atoning work: its universal sufficiency ("for all") and its specific, transformative impact on those who embrace it ("that those who live"). The heart of the verse lies in its teleological ("purpose-driven") statement: Christ died not just to save us from something, but to save us for someone – Himself. This calls for a radical paradigm shift from a self-serving existence to one fully devoted to Christ. The addition of "and rose again" is crucial, for it's the resurrected Christ, who reigns and lives, whom we now live for, empowered by His victory. This shift isn't merely moralistic; it's a grateful, love-driven response to His complete act of redemption, fostering a life characterized by Christ-like motives and actions, as evidenced in ministry and service.