2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2
World English Bible
14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. 15 He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold,[a] all things have become new. 18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
6 Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain, 2 for he says,
“At an acceptable time I listened to you.
In a day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
Footnotes
- 5:17 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2
International Standard Version
14 The love of the Messiah[a] controls us, for we are convinced of this: that one person died for all people; therefore, all people have died. 15 He died for all people, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the one who died and rose for them.
16 So then, from now on we do not think of anyone from a human point of view.[b] Even if we did think of the Messiah[c] from a human point of view,[d] we don’t think of him that way anymore. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in the Messiah,[e] he is a new creation. Old things have disappeared, and—look!—all things have become new!
18 All of this comes from God, who has reconciled us to himself through the Messiah[f] and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 for through the Messiah,[g] God was reconciling the world to himself by not counting their sins against them. He has committed his message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are the Messiah’s[h] representatives, as though God were pleading through us. We plead on the Messiah’s[i] behalf: “Be reconciled to God!” 21 God[j] made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that God’s righteousness would be produced in us.[k]
Workers with God
6 Since, then, we are working with God,[l] we plead with you not to accept God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“At the right time I heard you,
and on a day of salvation I helped you.”[m]
Listen, now is really the “right time”! Now is the “day of salvation”!
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 Or Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 Lit. according to the flesh
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 Or Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 Lit. according to the flesh
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:18 Or Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 Or Christ’s
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 Or Christ’s
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Lit. He
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Lit. that we might become God’s righteousness in him
- 2 Corinthians 6:1 Lit. working together
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isa 49:8
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