2 Corinthians 5:11 (ASV)

Passage

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things [done] in the body, according to what he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

2 Corinthians 5:12 We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but [speak] as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.

2 Corinthians 5:13 For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "knowing", "therefore", "fear", "lord", "persuade", "manifest", and "hope". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "knowing" and "therefore", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "For we must all be made manifest..." into verse 12's "We are not again commending ourselves unto...", so "knowing" and "therefore" 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 "knowing" and "therefore" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.