Study Desk

Therefore, knowing the ^(C1)fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also ^(C2)well known in your consciences.

We are not commending ourselves to you ^(C1)again, but are giving you an ^(C2)opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

For if we have ^(C1)lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

For the love of Christ ^(C1)controls us, having concluded this, that ^(C2)one died for all, therefore all died;

and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer ^(C1)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

Therefore from now on we recognize no one ^(F1)(C1)by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Therefore if anyone is ^(C1)in Christ, this person is ^(C2)a new ^(F1)creation; ^(C3)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Now ^(C1)all these things are from God, ^(C2)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ^(C3)ministry of reconciliation,

namely, that ^(C1)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, ^(C2)not counting their wrongdoings against them, and ^(F1)He has ^(F2)committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ^(C1)ambassadors for Christ, ^(C2)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be ^(C3)reconciled to God.

He made Him who ^(C1)knew no sin to be ^(F1)(C2)sin in our behalf, so that we might become the ^(C3)righteousness of God in Him.

And ^(C1)working together with Him, ^(C2)we also urge you not to receive ^(C3)the grace of God in vain—

for He says, "^(C1)AT A FAVORABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON A DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "A FAVORABLE TIME," behold, now is "A DAY OF SALVATION"—

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

^(C1)giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,

but in everything ^(C1)commending ourselves as ^(F1)(C2)servants of God, ^(C3)in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,

in ^(C1)beatings, in imprisonments, in ^(F1)(C2)mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in ^(C3)hunger,

in purity, in ^(C1)knowledge, in ^(C2)patience, in kindness, in the ^(C3)Holy Spirit, in ^(C4)genuine love,

in ^(C1)the word of truth, and in ^(C2)the power of God; by ^(C3)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

by glory and ^(C1)dishonor, by ^(C2)evil report and good report; regarded as ^(C3)deceivers and yet ^(C4)true;

as unknown and yet well known, as ^(C1)dying and yet behold, ^(C2)we are alive; as ^(F1)punished and yet not put to death,

as ^(C1)sorrowful yet always ^(C1)rejoicing, as ^(C2)poor yet making many rich, as ^(C3)having nothing and yet possessing ^(C4)all things.

^(C1)Our mouth ^(F1)has spoken freely to you, you Corinthians, our ^(C2)heart is opened wide.

You are not restrained ^(F1)by us, but ^(C1)you are restrained in your own ^(F2)affections.

Now in the same way in ^(C1)exchange—I am speaking as to ^(C2)children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well.