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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.

Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain, for he says,

“At an acceptable time I listened to you.
In a day of salvation I helped you.”Isaiah 49:8

Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

Footnotes

  1. 5:17 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

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