14 For the love of Christ (A)controls us, because we have concluded this: that (B)one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, (C)that those who live might no longer live for themselves but (D)for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, (E)we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is (F)in Christ, he is (G)a new creation.[a] (H)The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, (I)who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us (J)the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[b] the world to himself, (K)not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us (L)the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, (M)we are ambassadors for Christ, (N)God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 (O)For our sake he made him to be sin (P)who knew no sin, so that in him we might become (Q)the righteousness of God.

(R)Working together with him, then, (S)we appeal to you (T)not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,

(U)“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, (V)now is the (W)favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or God was in Christ, reconciling

14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all,(A) and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all(B) so that those who live should no longer live for themselves,(C) but for the one(D) who died for them and was raised.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective.[a] Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective,[b] yet now we no longer know him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;(E) the old has passed away, and see,(F) the new has[c] come!(G) 18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.(H) 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world(I) to himself,(J) not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors(K) for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf,(L) “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the one who did not know sin(M) to be sin[d] for us,(N) so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Working together with him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.” For he says:

At an acceptable time I listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.[e](O)

See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!(P)

Footnotes

  1. 5:16 Lit anyone according to the flesh
  2. 5:16 Lit Christ according to the flesh
  3. 5:17 Other mss read look, all new things have
  4. 5:21 Or be a sin offering
  5. 6:2 Is 49:8