2 Corinthians 5

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, knowing *[Job 31:23;Acts 9:31;Heb. 10:31;Jude 23] the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But *ch. 4:2what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 *See ch. 3:1We are not commending ourselves to you again but *[ch. 1:14]giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we *ch. 11:1,16,17;12:6,11are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ *Acts 18:5controls us, because we have concluded this: that *Rom. 5:15one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, *[Rom. 6:11,12]; See Rom. 14:7that those who live might no longer live for themselves but *[ch. 12:10]for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, *[Gal. 2:6;Phil. 3:7,8;Col. 2:11;1 Tim. 5:21]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 *ch. 12:2;Rom. 16:7;Gal. 1:22in Christ, he is *[John 3:3]; See Rom. 6:4a new creation.*5:17 Or creature*Isa. 43:18,19;Rev. 21:5;[Isa. 65:17;Eph. 2:15;4:24;Heb. 8:13]The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, *Col. 1:20;See Rom. 5:10;1 John 2:2who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us *Rom. 5:11the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling*5:19 Or God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, *Ps. 32:2;Rom. 4:8not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us *[See ver. 18above]the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, *Eph. 6:20;[Mal. 2:7;Gal. 4:14] we are ambassadors for Christ, *ch. 6:1God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 *Rom. 8:3;Gal. 3:13;See Rom. 4:25For our sake he made him to be sin *See 1 Pet. 2:22who knew no sin, so that in him we might become *See Rom. 1:17;1 Cor. 1:30the righteousness of God.