2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Chapter 5
14
Indeed, the love of Christ compels us, and we realize that if he died for all, then all have died.
15
He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose again for them.
16
Therefore, from now on, we regard no one from a human perspective; even if we once knew Christ in a human way, we no longer see him that way.
17
The Message of Reconciliation
For that same reason, anyone in Christ is a new creature. The old things have passed away; a new world has arrived.
Commentaries
The Criterion of Faith.
Paul continues to defend his ministry amid attacks and reluctance. It can be inferred that his enemies accused him of being a visionary and an exalted person. His argument is based on the respect owed to the Lord (11), who knows us completely.
This explains the sincerity and honesty with which he has always carried out his ministry. In his early days, Saul judged Jesus based on inappropriate criteria and persecuted him. Until he was revealed to him on the road to Damascus, Paul began to see things differently. This new way of judging is what he wants the Corinthians to adopt, not only with himself but with everyone without exception.
The Message of Reconciliation.
Paul defends the authenticity of his mission against opportunists and false apostles who have undermined it through criticism and slander. The Apostle desires reconciliation not only in private but also within the community. What is truly at stake is not his personal relationships with the Corinthians but their understanding and acceptance of the Gospel he has proclaimed. How can they be reconciled to God without passing through reconciliation with Christ’s envoy and ambassador, whose service is precisely the ‘ministry of reconciliation’? The Apostle simply seeks to express his amazement at the folly of God’s infinite and unconditional love for us all, shown through the death of his Son, Jesus, on the cross. Paul experienced this in Damascus and wishes to share it with the Corinthians.