2 Corinthians 5:11-15

Expanded Bible

Becoming Friends with God

¹¹ [^LTherefore] Since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade people [^Ceither about the truth of the Gospel or about Paul’s good motives]. God knows what we really are, and I hope that in your ·hearts [consciences] you know, too. ¹² We are not trying to ·prove [commend] ourselves to you again, but we are giving you a ·reason [opportunity] to ·be proud of [boast about] us. Then you will have an answer for those who ·are proud [boast] about ·things that can be seen [outward appearance] rather than what is in the heart. ¹³ If we are out of our minds, it is for God. If we have our right minds, it is for you. ¹⁴ [^LFor] The love of Christ ·controls [compels; drives] us, because we ·know [are convinced; have concluded] that One died for all, so all have died [^Cwe died spiritually with Christ, the penalty for our sins]. ¹⁵ Christ died for all so that those who live would ·not continue to [no longer] live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised from the dead.