Font Size
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
New International Version
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
New International Version
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(A) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(B) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(C) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(D) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,”(E) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(F) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(G) but for him who died for them(H) and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(I) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(J) the new creation(K) has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!(L) 18 All this is from God,(M) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(N) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(O) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(P) as though God were making his appeal through us.(Q) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(R) 21 God made him who had no sin(S) to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(T)
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
King James Version
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
King James Version
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
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.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
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.
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.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Read full chapter
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
New King James Version
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
New King James Version
11 Knowing, therefore, (A)the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Be Reconciled to God
12 For (B)we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity (C)to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For (D)if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that (E)if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, (F)that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 (G)Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, (H)yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone (I)is in Christ, he is (J)a new creation; (K)old things have passed away; behold, all things have become (L)new. 18 Now all things are of God, (M)who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that (N)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are (O)ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For (P)He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become (Q)the righteousness of God in Him.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 reckoning
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.