2 Corinthians 5:14 (ASV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

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.

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

2 Corinthians 5:15 and 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.

2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know [him so] no more.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "love", "christ", "constraineth", "thus", "judge", "died", and "therefore". 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 are beside ourselves it..." into verse 15's "and he died for all that they...", 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.