2 Corinthians 5:16

2 Corinthians 5:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
• English Standard Version (ESV)From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

Context of 2 Corinthians 5:16

14For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; 15and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake. So from now on we regard no one from a human point of view [according to worldly standards and values]. Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer know Him in this way. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 18But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],

2 Corinthians 5:16 word by word

Ὥστε ἡμεῖς ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν οὐδένα οἴδαμεν κατὰ σάρκα· εἰ καὶ ἐγνώκαμεν κατὰ σάρκα Χριστόν, ἀλλὰ νῦν οὐκέτι γινώσκομεν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Whereforeὥστεhōste · soG5620
• ·ἀπόapo · away fromG575
• henceforthνῦνnun · nowG3568
• knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• no manοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• afterκατάkata · according toG2596
• the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• yeaδέde · thenG1161
• thoughεἰei · if: even thoughG1487
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• we have knownγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• yetἀλλάalla · butG235
• no moreοὐκέτιouketi · not any moreG3765

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:16

• Deuteronomy 33:9Who said of his father and mother, ‘I did not consider them’; Nor did he acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he regard his own sons, For the priests observed Your word, And kept Your covenant.
• 1 Samuel 2:29Why then do you kick at (despise) My sacrifice and My offering which I commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, by fattening yourselves with the choicest part of every offering of My people Israel?’
• Matthew 10:37“ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
• Matthew 12:48But Jesus replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
• Mark 3:31Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called for Him.
• John 2:4Jesus said to her, “[Dear] woman, what is that to you and to Me? My time [to act and to be revealed] has not yet come.”
• John 15:14You are my friends if you keep on doing what I command you.
• Galatians 2:5But we did not yield to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would continue to remain with you [in its purity].
• Galatians 5:6For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.
• Philippians 3:7But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].
• Colossians 3:11a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].
• 1 Timothy 5:21I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels that you guard and keep these rules without bias, doing nothing out of favoritism.
• James 2:1My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality [toward people—show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery].
• James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
• John 6:63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life].

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Know we no man after the flesh - As we know that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; and as we know that all are alienated from God, and are dead in trespasses and sins; therefore we esteem no man on account of his family relations, or the stock whence he proceeded, because we see all are shut up in unbelief, and all are children of wrath. Yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh - We cannot esteem a man who is a sinner, were he…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Wherefore henceforth - In view of the fact that the Lord Jesus died for all people, and rose again. The effect of that has been to change all our feelings, and to give us entirely new views of people, of ourselves, and of the Messiah, so that we have become new creatures. The word “henceforth” ( ̓̀ ͂ ͂ apo tou nun) means properly from the present time; but there is no impropriety in supposing that Paul refers to the time when he first obtained correct…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-21Verses 16-21 The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17From a human perspective, Paul might recall his past belief as a Pharisee that the Messiah would free the Jews from political oppression. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer: Christ rose from the dead, began the new creation (5:17), and became the redeemer from sin and Lord of the universe (Romans 1:3–4; Philippians 2:6–11; Colossians 1:15–20).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Wherefore--because of our settled judgment (2Co 5:14), henceforth--since our knowing Christ's constraining love in His death for us. know we no man after the flesh--that is, according to his mere worldly and external relations (2Co 11:18; Joh 8:15; Php 3:4), as distinguished from what he is according to the Spirit, as a "new creature" (2Co 5:17). For instance, the outward distinctions of Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, slave or free, learned or…Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Appear
• Constrain
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Earthly
• Faith
• Groan
• Pray
• Reconcile

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings