Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:14

What does 2 Corinthians 5:14 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 5:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 5:14 means

Paul names the force that governs him: “the love of Christ constraineth us.” Christ’s love, shown supremely in His death, grips and directs his life. He draws a conclusion: one died for all; therefore, in Him, all died. Those represented by Christ share in His death—their old life under sin’s rule ended at the cross. This union explains Paul’s self-forgetful service. He is not driven by fear of people or hunger for status, but by a settled judgment about Christ’s atoning death with corporate effect. The verse ties motive to doctrine: Christ’s sacrificial love both redeems and rules, creating a people who belong to Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For it is the love of Christ which is moving us; because we are of the opinion that if one was put to death for all, then all have undergone death;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the love of the Christ doth constrain us, having judged thus: that if one for all died, then the whole died,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the charity of Christ presseth us: judging this, that if one died for all, then all were dead.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For the love of the Christ constrains us, having judged this: that one died for all, then all have died;

Context

Having answered charges about his demeanor (v. 13), Paul now discloses the controlling motive of his ministry. Verse 14 provides the theological foundation: Christ’s love demonstrated in His death, with its representative implications. This sets up verse 15, which states the practical purpose—those who now live should live for Christ, not themselves. Together, these verses shift the letter from defending Paul to declaring the transforming power of the gospel, which will climax in new creation (v. 17) and reconciliation (vv. 18–21).

v.13For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.

v.14This passage

v.15and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 3:18

    may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

  • Ephesians 2:1

    And youdid he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,

  • Luke 7:42

    When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?

  • Matthew 10:37

    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

  • Hebrews 2:9

    But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.

  • John 1:29

    On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!

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