What does Paul mean by the "terror of the Lord" in this passage?

When Paul talks about the “terror of the Lord,” he is speaking of the fear and awe that come from knowing there will be a real judgment before Christ. It is not just panic or dread, but a serious awareness that God is holy and will deal with sin. Because he knows this is true, Paul works hard to persuade people to turn to God instead of staying in their sin. This sense of God’s coming judgment shapes how he serves, what he preaches, and how urgently he calls people to be reconciled to God.

How does the love of Christ "constrain" Paul and other believers?

The love of Christ “constrains” Paul in the sense that it holds him, presses on him, and moves him forward. He looks at Jesus dying for him and for others, and he concludes that those who now live because of Christ’s death and resurrection should no longer live for themselves. Instead, they should live for the One who died and rose again for them. Christ’s love, shown at the cross, becomes the main driving force behind Paul’s choices, his preaching, and his willingness to suffer for the good of others.

What does it mean that "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature"?

Being a “new creature” means that when a person is joined to Christ by faith, God truly changes them inside. They are not just cleaning up a few bad habits. God gives new desires, a new way of seeing Christ and people, and a new kind of life. Paul says “old things are passed away,” which points to the old way of living for self and in spiritual death, and “all things are become new,” meaning a new direction, new priorities, and a new relationship with God that begins now and continues forever.

What is the "ministry of reconciliation" that God has given to believers?

The “ministry of reconciliation” is the work God gives Paul and other believers to do in sharing how God brings sinners back to Himself through Jesus. Paul explains that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them. Now God has trusted this message to His people. They speak to others on Christ’s behalf, urging them, “Be reconciled to God.” This ministry is not about pushing human goodness, but about pointing to what God has done in Christ to make peace with those who were far from Him.

Why does Paul say believers are "ambassadors for Christ"?

Paul calls believers “ambassadors for Christ” to show that they represent Jesus in this world, like a messenger speaks for a king. An ambassador does not share his own ideas, but the message of the one who sent him. In the same way, Paul and others speak as if God Himself is making His appeal through them. They plead with people on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” This picture highlights both the honor and the responsibility of carrying God’s message of peace to others with clarity and faithfulness.

What does it mean that God "was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself"?

This phrase means that in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God Himself was at work bringing sinners back into a right relationship with Him. Reconciliation is about ending hostility and making peace. People had sinned and turned away from God, but God took the first step. In Christ, He chose not to count their sins against them, because those sins were dealt with at the cross. This shows that salvation starts with God, not with us, and that the way back to God is through what Christ has already done.

Why does Paul say God "made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin"?

This is a deep truth about what happened at the cross. Jesus never sinned, yet God “made him to be sin for us,” meaning He treated Jesus as the sin-bearer, placing on Him the guilt of His people. Jesus took the place of sinners, bearing the judgment they deserved. In exchange, those who are in Him are counted as righteous before God. Paul sums it up by saying this was “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him,” showing a great swap: Christ bears our sin, we receive His righteousness.

What does this passage teach about how believers should live now?

This passage shows that believers should no longer live for themselves. Since Christ died and rose again for them, their lives now belong to Him. Paul says they should not live “unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Their outlook on people changes too, no longer judging “after the flesh” by outward things. As new creations, they are called to live out this new life, to serve Christ, and to take seriously their role as ambassadors who carry God’s message of reconciliation to others.

Why does Paul say "we know no man after the flesh" anymore?

Paul means that, because of Christ’s death and resurrection and the new creation work of God, he no longer looks at people by outward standards like status, background, or human judgment. Even his former way of thinking about Christ has changed. He might once have seen Jesus in a merely human way, but now he knows Him as the risen Lord. For believers, this change in view is part of being a new creation. They see people in light of eternity and God’s work in Christ, not just by temporary, earthly measures.

How can this passage help someone who feels weighed down by their past?

This passage speaks strong hope to someone burdened by their past. Paul says that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, with old things passed away and all things made new. God is not counting their wrongs against them because Christ has taken their sin. Instead of being defined by old failures, they are now defined by what God has done in Jesus. They are invited to respond to God’s call, “Be reconciled to God,” and to begin living as someone loved by Christ, forgiven, and called into a new way of life.

2Cor.5.11

2 Corinthians 5:11

KJV

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.

Ambassadors for Christ

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.

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.

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

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.

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.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

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.

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.

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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.