2 Corinthians 5:14 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 5:12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

2 Corinthians 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

2 Corinthians 5:16 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.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "love", "christ", "constraineth", "thus", "judge", "died", and "dead". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "love" and "christ", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "For whether we be beside ourselves it..." into verse 15's "And that he died for all that...", so "love" and "christ" belong inside that flow. In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "love" and "christ" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.