The Strand Study Bible

Written From Philippi During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

II CORINTHIANS 5:13 - 6:4

1938

our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be 1 beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ 2 constraineth us; because we thus judge, 3 that if one died for all, 4 then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, 5 that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a 6 new creature: old things are passed away; behold, 7 all things are become new.

19 9 To wit, that God was in 10 Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and- hath committed unto us the word of rec- onciliation. 20 Now then we are 11 ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye rec- onciled to God. 21 For 12 H E hath made 13 HIM to be sin for us, 14 WHO knew no sin; that 15 we might be made 16 the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 6 Paul’s sufferings in the ministry Date Written - Fall of AD 57 1 We then, 17 as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, 18 I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 3 19 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as

1. or, “appeared to have gone mad” -

Mk 3:21 & Acts 26:24

2. or, “strongly urges” 3. Rom 5:15 & 6:6-10 4. Colo 3:3 5. Rom 6:11 & Gal 2:20 6. Gal 5:6 & Eph 4:24 7. Rom 6:3-10 8. Rom 5:10 & Eph 2:14-16 & Colo 1:20 9. that is, “In lieu of vs. 18 10. Jn 10:30 & 14:7-11 & I Tim 3:16 11. Eph 6:20 12. or, “the Father and the Spirit ” – Isa 53:4,6, 10 & Psa 22:1 13. Isa 53:4-6, 10-11 14. Isa 53:9 & Heb 4:15 & 9:14 & I Pet 1:18-19 & 2:21-22 & I Jn 3:5 & Deut 32:4 15. I Pet 3:18 16. II Pet 1:1 & Rom 1:16-17 & 3:21-26 & 10:1-4 & I Cor 1:30 17. I Cor 3:9 18. Quoted from the OT - Isa 49:8 19. Rom 14:13

Christians are commanded to be witnesses for CHRIST

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by 8 Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of rec- onciliation;

5:14 This word ( constraineth ) is the Greek word σXQHFHL ( sunechei ) and means “ to hold ( HFZ ) with ( σXQ )” or “ to hold together ; to urge .” Paul noted that his motive for serving God was not based on his love for Jesus, but on Jesus’ love for him ( Jude 1:21 ). That alone should “urge” us and press us to serve Him (II Tim 2:11-13). Motive for why we do what we do for God means everything to God, and will determine what kind of reward we will receive in eternity ( I Sam 15: 1- 15 , Mt 6:1 & 20:1,11 , I Cor 3:13 b and Rev 2:4 ). 5:17 This word ( become ) is the Greek verb JHJοQHQ ( gegonen ). It is in the perfect tense in the Greek and indicates a continual, abiding change that can never be undone (behold, all things are becoming new). Meaning, once a person gets saved, they will never be the same again. The Holy Spirit will continue to change them until the day they die. 5:18 Every believer is called to the ministry of reconciliation (witnessing for Jesus - I Pet 3:15). We are called to be “ ambassadors for Christ ” (vs 20 and Mt 28:18-20). P.E. Burroughs in Winning to Christ notes: 5:21 “ For he (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin (only Christ is righteous); that we (the sinner) might be made the righteousness of God (worthy of Heaven) in him .” The following sketch will help you better understand this verse: CHRIST (I John 3:5) Man (Rom 3:10,23) loves hates heals destroys tells truth tells lies gives life takes life helps hurts Everything Jesus did was right Everything man does is wrong (sin) NOTE – Jesus took all the blame for our sin, while we get all the credit for what He did. What a Savior! We are saved in order that we may save; we are ourselves chosen and redeemed through divine love that we may win others to love the great Saviour and to know the great salvation. Beyond all controversy the supreme end of every Christian life is somehow, somewhere, to fit into God’s mighty plan to save men. 1

1 Burroughs, P.E. Winning to Christ , Nashville, TN, SSB, 1914. Print.