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

Christ's death decisively impacts believers, freeing them from the dominion of their former lives. Their new existence is lived for Him who died and was raised. This means a fundamental shift in purpose, loyalty, and motivation, oriented entirely towards Christ.

2 Corinthians 5 15 Context

Second Corinthians chapter 5 continues Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry. In this passage, Paul is speaking about the transformation that occurs when someone becomes a Christian. He's emphasizing that this transformation is so profound that believers are in Christ. Chapter 5, verses 14-15, highlight that Christ's death for all signifies a universal aspect of His redemptive work and leads to a life lived no longer for oneself, but for Him who died and rose. This is part of Paul's argument about the new creation in Christ and the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to believers. The immediate context is Paul's assertion that the love of Christ compels him and others to see that His death was for all, meaning no one (believer or not) is outside the scope of His atoning work, and thus, the transformed life is a response to this all-encompassing sacrifice.

2 Corinthians 5 15 Word Analysis

• εἰς (eis): A preposition. It signifies "into," "to," or "for." Here, it points to the purpose or ultimate beneficiary of the action.
• τοῦτο (touto): This; referring to the preceding or following statement. It’s demonstrative pronoun.
• οὖν (oun): Therefore; then. A conjunction indicating a consequence or conclusion.
• ἐξέτασαν (exetasan): (from ἐξετάζω, exetazō). Verb meaning "to examine," "to scrutinize," "to conclude." This implies a reasoned judgment based on an understanding of Christ's sacrifice.
• ἀπέθανεν (apethanen): He died. Aorist active indicative, third person singular of ἀποθνῄσκω (apothnēskō). Signifies death, cessation of life.
• ὑπὲρ (huper): For; on behalf of; instead of. This preposition is crucial, denoting substitution or representation. Christ died in the place of or for the benefit of all.
• πάντων (panton): Of all. Genitive plural of πᾶς (pas), meaning "all," "every." Refers to humanity.
• ὅτι (hoti): That; because. A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause, stating the reason for their conclusion or the fact about Christ's death.
• Χριστὸς (Christos): Christ. The Anointed One, Jesus Messiah.
• ἀπέθανεν (apethanen): He died. Repeated verb, emphasizing the completed action of death.
• εἰς (eis): For. Again, signifying the beneficiaries of His death.
• πάντων (panton): All. Repeating the comprehensive scope of His sacrifice.
• ἵνα (hina): In order that. A conjunction introducing a purpose clause. Explains the result or purpose of Christ's death for all.
• οἱ ζῶντες (hoi zontes): Those who live; the living ones. Present active participle of ζάω (zaō), to live. Refers to those currently alive, particularly believers, after Christ's death and resurrection.
• μηκέτι (mēketi): No longer. Adverb negating a continuous action.
• ἑαυτοῖς (heautois): To themselves; for themselves. Reflexive pronoun, dative plural. Emphasizes the shift away from self-centered living.
• ζῶσιν (zōsin): They live. Present active indicative, third person plural of ζάω (zaō).
• ἀλλὰ (alla): But. A conjunction introducing a contrast.
• τῷ (tō): The. Dative article. Used with the instrumental dative case to indicate the means or agent.
• ἐκείνῳ (ekeinō): Him. Demonstrative pronoun, dative singular of ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos), "that one." Refers to Christ.
• ὀφειλόντων (opheilontōn): Who died. Present active participle of ὀφείλω (opheilō), "to owe," "to be indebted." In this context, it means "those who died" (for all), emphasizing obligation to the one who died for them. (This word often means 'ought' or 'debtor', but the strong consensus in theological interpretation for this specific Greek word in this context, "who died," implies Christ's death as the obligation being fulfilled for others. The antecedent is Christ. The phrasing links directly to the previous clause).
• ὀφειλόντων (opheilontōn): Or "for whom it was due." However, in the strong theological context, it's understood that Christ paid a debt "for" us. The participial form indicates action relevant to the subject. Considering the earlier "died for all," and this participial form connecting to the instrumental dative "to Him", the logical conclusion is that believers live for "Him for whom died" which refers to Christ himself, making believers live for Christ who died.
• καὶ (kai): And. A conjunction connecting clauses or phrases.
• ἐγήγερται (egegetai): Was raised. Perfect passive indicative, third person singular of ἐγείρω (egeirō), "to raise up." Signifies His resurrection.

Group Analysis:

• "the love of Christ controls us" (from previous verse 14): Sets the premise that this entire conclusion is motivated by divine love.
• "one has died for all": Affirms the comprehensive scope of Christ's substitutionary atonement.
• "therefore concluded": The understanding that Christ died for all is a reasoned conclusion.
• "so that those who live": Introduces the purpose of this sacrificial death.
• "no longer live for themselves": Highlights the radical shift from self-centeredness to other-centeredness (or Christ-centeredness).
• "but for him who died and was raised": Defines the new orientation of life – solely for Christ who conquered death.

2 Corinthians 5 15 Bonus Section

This verse emphasizes a fundamental theological truth about Christian identity and purpose. The doctrine of substitutionary atonement (Christ dying for us) is central here. The shift from living for ourselves to living for Christ is a hallmark of authentic conversion, reflecting the new covenant established by His blood. The participle ὀφειλόντων (opheilontōn), meaning "for whom it was due" or "the debtors" implying Christ's death as a debt paid on our behalf, is sometimes interpreted as "those for whom He died," highlighting our debt to Him, making our new life a direct consequence of His paid debt. This compels a response of devoted living. The dual emphasis on His death and resurrection underscores that our new life is possible because He conquered death; His resurrection guarantees our future resurrection and the present power for living differently.

2 Corinthians 5 15 Commentary

The profound impact of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection transforms a believer’s existence from self-orientation to Christ-orientation. Because Jesus died for everyone, we are no longer enslaved to our old desires and ways of living. Our lives now belong to Christ who gave Himself up and triumphed over death. This means our motivations, decisions, and actions are to be entirely reoriented around His will and glory. It is a call to live a life of discipleship, reflecting the love and sacrifice of Christ in all that we do and are. This doesn't mean self-neglect in an unhealthy way, but rather seeing our lives as conduits for Christ’s purpose and work in the world.

• Practical Example: Instead of pursuing a career solely for personal gain and prestige, a believer might pursue it with the motive of serving God and others, using their skills and influence for His kingdom.
• Practical Example: When facing difficult circumstances, the response shifts from "Why me?" to "How can I honor Christ through this?" or "What can I learn about Christ through this experience?"
• Practical Example: Our time, talents, and resources are no longer viewed as solely "ours" to manage but as entrusted to us by Christ to be used for His purposes.