2 Corinthians 5

Sunday, 16 August 2015

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 2 Corinthians 5:16

“Therefore” is given to have us think on what has been stated thus far and as a lead in to a full explanation of that information. Paul has noted that “if One died for all, then all died.” He then noted that “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

These words give the bases for the “therefore.” Because of our having died with Christ, we should, “from now on,” have a different attitude towards others. Instead of seeing them as simply people whom we interact with by using normal human motives, we should “regard no one according to the flesh.” We are to no longer make superficial judgments, but are rather to regard other believers as those for whom Christ died.

We have died with Him and we should live for Him. Our judgment of others is to be based on our spiritual relationship with Him. In other words, we shouldn’t look at and regard a person because they are famous, because of their status in society, because of their amount of wealth, because of their color, or because of any other external reason. Instead, we should view all people based on their relationship to Christ. Our regard of others is not “according to the flesh” but according to who they are in a new, spiritual way.

To show us what he means, he next says, “Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.” There was a time when Paul saw Christ as a mere human. His idea of who Christ should be was a conquering king over an earthly kingdom. Others may have seen Christ as a great scientist or a man of great philosophical wisdom. Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses see Christ as a created being and not the Lord God.

Whatever carnal, fleshly way we once saw Christ, if we are truly “in” Christ, we no longer know Him in this way. Instead, we see Him as our Lord. We regard Him as the One to whom we are to fix our hopes, our goals, our aspirations, and our eyes upon. Paul once viewed Christ as a dead person whose followers needed to be destroyed, but then he encountered the risen Christ and that all changed.

His words about Christ show that our attitude should also be different concerning His followers. We are to regard them first and foremost as saved believers, spiritually reborn and valued children of God because of the work of Jesus. This idea can be beautifully seen in the slave Onesimus. Paul writes these words about him in Philemon –

“For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” Philemon 1:15, 16

Though he was still a slave in the flesh, Paul asked his master to regard him as “a beloved brother.” In Christ, all things are new. This is what Paul is relaying to us in his words today.

Life application: Who do you show more regard for in your congregation – the handsome, wealthy, or powerful? Rather than looking at externals, let us regard other believers first and foremost from their position in Christ. Let us look at them as valued brothers and sisters with whom we will spend eternity.

Lord God, please grant me a heart to not look at my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord based on externals, but on who they truly are. Keep me from showing preference to others because they are wealthy, powerful, good looking, or whatever other false perception might be contrary to their devotion to You. Help me to make their love of You my highest reason for desiring their friendship. I know that in Christ, all are on a level playing field when it comes to the things of the world. And so help me to look beyond those things! Amen.

Saturday, 15 August 2015

…and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

This is a further explanation of the words, “For the love of Christ compels us…” As Jesus Christ “died for all,” he now explains “that those who live should no longer live for themselves.”

Jesus Christ “died for all” potentially, but He actually only died for the elect. Those who have received Jesus Christ are the elect according to God’s foreknowledge. In other words, God knew that they would receive Him and therefore Jesus has saved them. While they live, they “should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

This explains why the apostles didn’t go out making a lot of money off sharing the gospel. It explains why they were willing to suffer persecution and hardship. It explains why they were willing to give all for the sake of Christ. Paul is saying that all believers should have a like-attitude. We may have a job and a family, but we are to put Christ above all else. He isn’t asking us to give up everything we have, but to live our lives in the proper, Christ-centered, perspective.

He gives this same sentiment elsewhere in his writings several times. One example is found in Romans 6 –

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. ¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:8-11

The apostle Peter also shared this same sentiment –

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1, 2

Life application: Christ died and rose for us so that we could truly live. Therefore, let us truly live for Him!

Heavenly Father, I know that Christ the Lord died for me… even me. I am alive because of His death. How then can I not live for Him? All that I have should be an offering of gratitude to Your precious Son for having lifted me out of the pit of death. He placed me among the living. O God, as He died and rose again for me, give me the desire now to live my days for Him. Amen!

Friday, 14 August 2015

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 5:14

There is an ambiguity in the first portion of this verse so that it could read, “For the love of Christ compels us,” or “For our love for Christ compels us.” However, on numerous occasions in Paul’s writings, he speaks of God’s love for us, so the former is probably the correct rendering (e.g. see Romans 5:5; Romans 8:35; 1 Corinthians 16:24; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

As Paul notes, it is this great love which “compels us.” It is the motivating factor which impelled him and the other apostles forward. And the reason why is because of understanding the significance of what Christ’s love means, thus the words rendered as “because we judge this.” They judged the importance of what Christ did and were therefore compelled forward, knowing that their ministry was the only thing between those they encountered and salvation or condemnation. This is reflected in the words, “…that if One died for all, then all died.”

Christ died a substitutionary death. He did not die for His own sins, but for the sins of the world. However, in order for those sins to be forgiven, the message of Christ must be transmitted to people. When they hear and believe, then they are granted forgiveness through His death. The words “then all died” indicate that whoever (they are potential, not actual, until received) receives Christ “dies” with Him. This is reflected elsewhere in Paul’s writings, such as –

“For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:19, 20

In Christ, we die to sin; it no longer has mastery over us. At that time, the life we live is lived to God and we are no longer held by the power of the devil. This is the message which so compelled the apostles, urging them forward in order to bring many to a saving knowledge of what God did in Christ for the people of the world.

Life application: How important are the souls of those you encounter to you? If you are the only person they will meet who could bring them to Christ and you fail to speak, they will face a vastly different fate than they may otherwise have faced if you had simply spoken. Don’t withhold the wonderful message of reconciliation!

Lord, I may be the only person to have the right opportunity to personally speak to someone about Jesus in their whole life. If I speak, there may be a chance of him hearing and believing. If I keep silent, the promise of eternal life will fade from his possible future… all because I was too timid to simply open my mouth and share the life-giving news. What a burden to carry for all eternity. Help me to be bold and to share what Jesus has done with each person I meet. Grant me this burning desire, O God! Amen.

Thursday, 13 August 2015

For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 2 Corinthians 5:13

This continues Paul’s thought of the previous verse. To the Corinthians, he said that he wanted to “give you opportunity to boast on our behalf.” How could they do this? Paul explains that when charges are leveled against him as an apostle, they could use the argument in this verse.

It appears that some had said that he and the other apostles were either nuts or at least on their way to the funny farm. This is what he means by “beside ourselves.” It is a charge that was made against Paul in Acts 26 –

“Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!'” Acts 26:24

Even more, it is a charge that was levied against the Lord. Two such examples follow –

“Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. ²⁰ And many of them said, ‘He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?'” John 10:19, 20

&

“Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. ²¹ But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind.'” Mark 3:20, 21

Paul says now that if they were beside themselves, it was “for God.” In other words, their zeal was so strong for upholding the truth of God that others may say they were out of their minds.

On the other hand, for those who understood their position and their zeal, they knew that they were of “sound mind.” And if of sound mind, it was for the sake of those they ministered to. Therefore, they could easily defend Paul and the other apostles, being given this opportunity to boast on their behalf – “He isn’t nuts, except about Jesus! He isn’t crazy, but if he is, it is about the gospel. He is as right as rain.”

Life application: Do you know someone who is a bit eccentric and yet is totally sold out to the Lord? Let the eccentric be overlooked; there is genius behind the zeal for Christ.

Heavenly Father, I often wonder if I’m a bit nuts. And the answer is “Yes, I am nuts for Jesus.” I sometimes wonder if I am looked at as a bit off my rocker. And the answer is, “Yes, I jumped out of that to praise the Lord.” And at times, people say that I should be committed. They forget that I already am; I am committed to You. No shame here! I am on fire for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah, and Amen!

Wednesday, 12 August 2015

 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 2 Corinthians 5:12

Based on his words of the previous verse, his detractors could say, “There he goes again, boasting about himself as one of the apostles!” But this isn’t the case. It is a continuation of the defense he made all the way back in Chapter 3 –

“Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? ² You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; ³ clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.” 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

There was no need for self commendation because those in Corinth who came to Christ and who were then schooled in Christ testified to their apostolic ministry. Now he takes that thought and offers it to them to “give you opportunity to boast on our behalf.” If the Corinthians are their “epistle” then they should feel free to make a boasting of them. Thus, there was no need for Paul and the others to commend themselves. Again, this is something he already addressed to them at the beginning of the letter –

“For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. ¹³ For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end ¹⁴ (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

To complete the thought of this verse, he says that their boasting is so “that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.” The term “in appearance” is literally “in face.” The work of Paul and the other apostles was written on the heart, whereas the work of the others was external. They boasted of their eloquence, superior knowledge, the names of their schools, or whatever other external signs of their greatness. Paul will speak of these people directly later in the epistle. They were superficial and they were false teachers.

Life application: Paul had personal defects, he wasn’t known as an eloquent speaker, and he certainly wasn’t flashy. Instead he made tents to support himself and shared the gospel freely to all. Those who opposed him may have been visually appealing and very well-spoken, but they missed what was important – holding fast to God’s word. Now think of those in the world today – whom would you rather trust with the message of your eternal destiny? Does a flashy presentation really matter all that much when put in this perspective?

Heavenly Father, please help those who are seeking You to look past the externals of eloquence, physical ability, and flashy presentations. Instead, I would pray that they would seek out those who hold fast to Your word regardless of their physical appeal or exceptional speaking abilities. Trading sound doctrine for ear-appeal is not a very good deal when one considers that eternal rewards and even salvation itself are at stake. Open hearts to Your word alone! Amen.