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 compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 18Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

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 33:9He said about his father and mother, “I do not regard them.” He disregarded his brothers and didn’t acknowledge his sons, for they kept your word and maintained your covenant.
• 1 Samuel 2:29Why, then, do all of you despise my sacrifices and offerings that I require at the place of worship? You have honored your sons more than me, by making yourselves fat with the best part of all of the offerings of my people Israel.’
• Matthew 10:37The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
• Matthew 12:48He replied to the one who was speaking to him, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?”
• Mark 3:31His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to him and called him.
• John 2:4“What has this concern of yours to do with me, woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.”
• John 15:14You are my friends if you do what I command you.
• Galatians 2:5But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you.
• Galatians 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
• Philippians 3:7But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.
• Colossians 3:11In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.
• 1 Timothy 5:21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
• James 2:1My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
• James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.
• John 6:63The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are 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