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

14Clearly, Christ’s love guides us. We are convinced of the fact that one man has died for all people. Therefore, all people have died. 15He died for all people so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the man who died and was brought back to life for them. So from now on we don’t think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don’t anymore. 17Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. 18God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.

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 33:9They said that they didn’t know their father and mother. They didn’t recognize their own brothers. They didn’t acknowledge their own children. But they obeyed your word and were faithful to the terms of your promise.
• 1 Samuel 2:29Why do you show no respect for my sacrifices and grain offerings that I have commanded people to make in my dwelling place? Why do you honor your sons more than me by making yourselves fat on the best of all the sacrifices offered by my people Israel?
• Matthew 10:37“The person who loves his father or mother more than me does not deserve to be my disciple. The person who loves a son or daughter more than me does not deserve to be my disciple.
• Matthew 12:48He replied to the man speaking to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
• Mark 3:31Then his mother and his brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent someone to ask him to come out.
• John 2:4Jesus said to her, “Why did you come to me? My time has not yet come.”
• John 15:14You are my friends if you obey my commandments.
• Galatians 2:5But we did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the Good News would always be yours.
• Galatians 5:6As far as our relationship to Christ Jesus is concerned, it doesn’t matter whether we are circumcised or not. But what matters is a faith that expresses itself through love.
• Philippians 3:7These things that I once considered valuable, I now consider worthless for Christ.
• Colossians 3:11Where this happens, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, uncivilized person, slave, or free person. Instead, Christ is everything and in everything.
• 1 Timothy 5:21I solemnly call on you in the sight of God, Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels to be impartial when you follow what I’ve told you. Never play favorites.
• James 2:1My brothers and sisters, practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ by not favoring one person over another.
• James 3:17However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.
• John 6:63Life is spiritual. Your physical existence doesn’t contribute to that life. The words that I have spoken to you are spiritual. They 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