Constrained by the Love of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:14

Paul the apostle had the church member in Corinth think about, “whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause” , and in chapter five and verse fourteen of Second Corinthians, Paul had the church members consider how, “the love of Christ constrains us” where we read:

For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge,

that if one died for all, then were all dead:

The verse begins, “For the love of Christ constrains us;” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and therefore” “the love” which is the Greek word “agape'” or “affection, goodwill, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love” “of Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “constrains us” or “holds completely and fast Paul and his companions”. Jesus Christ's “love” for themselves and others was the “squeezing, urging and impelling force” behind Paul and his disciples.

The verse begins, “because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”. Paul added the word, “because we thus” which means “for this reason, intent and cause Paul and his companions” “judge” or “separate, put asunder, pick out, select, choose, prefer and resolve”, “that if one died” or “that since a person, Jesus, perished” “for all” which refers to “on behalf of each, every, the whole and everyone”, “then” or “therefore, wherefore and consequently” “were all” which means “each and every person was” “dead” or “perished”. Paul shared how Jesus “died” for all people because every person was in a state of being spiritually “dead” already.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how Jesus' love for people was the impetus behind he and his companions sharing the gospel. Paul knew how much Jesus loved them, and He proved it by “dying” on their behalf. Since this was true, not only did Jesus “die” for Paul and his companions, but also for every person, and that means every person was and is “spiritually dead” unto God already. Jesus “died” that all may live, and when a person believes in Jesus, is forgiven for their sins, and changed into a new “creation”, they too shall be “constrained” by His love to share with anyone the Lord places in their path.

Next time Paul tells the church members how Jesus, “died for all”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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