2 Corinthians 5:11 (DRB)

Passage

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we use persuasion to men: but to God we are manifest. And I trust also that in your consciences we are manifest.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 5:9 And therefore we labour, whether absent or present, to please him.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as he hath done, whether it be good or evil.

2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we use persuasion to men: but to God we are manifest. And I trust also that in your consciences we are manifest.

2 Corinthians 5:12 We commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory in our behalf: that you may have somewhat to answer them who glory in face, and not in heart.

2 Corinthians 5:13 For whether we be transported in mind, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for you.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "knowing", "therefore", "fear", "lord", "persuasion", "manifest", "trust", and "consciences". 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 manifested before..." into verse 12's "We commend not ourselves again to you...", 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.