14 For the love of Christ (A)controls us, having concluded this, that (B)one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer (C)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one [a](D)by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is (E)in Christ, this person is (F)a new [b]creation; (G)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now (H)all these things are from God, (I)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the (J)ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that (K)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, (L)not counting their wrongdoings against them, and [c]He has [d]committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are (M)ambassadors for Christ, (N)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be (O)reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who (P)knew no sin to be [e](Q)sin in our behalf, so that we might become the (R)righteousness of God in Him.

Their Ministry Commended

And (S)working together with Him, (T)we also urge you not to receive (U)the grace of God in vain— for He says,

(V)At a favorable time I listened to you,
And on a day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is “a favorable time,” behold, now is “a day of salvation”—

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:16 I.e., by what one is in the flesh
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit having
  4. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit placed in us
  5. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or a sin offering

14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that (A)if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, (B)that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

16 (C)Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, (D)yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone (E)is in Christ, he is (F)a new creation; (G)old things have passed away; behold, all things have become (H)new. 18 Now all things are of God, (I)who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that (J)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then, we are (K)ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For (L)He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become (M)the righteousness of God in Him.

Marks of the Ministry

We then, as (N)workers together with Him also (O)plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says:

(P)“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:19 reckoning