God’s love impacts those who trust and follow Him!
2 Corinthians Chapter 5:14-15 (Berean Standard Bible) emphasis mine
14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. 15And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
Young men encourage others to follow. Do others know that you walk with Christ from your testimony?
Context of 2 Corinthians 5
https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/5/2-Corinthians-chapter-5.html
“Some may have suggested that Paul’s mental health was in question because he continued to preach the gospel despite continually suffering for it. Paul, though, emphasizes again that he can do nothing else. Christ’s love compels him to keep telling everyone that Christ died for all so they, too, can live for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:11–15).”
Source Bible Ref: link above
What does the word “compel” mean in this passage and others? Paul uses the Greek word / synechei–From sun and echo; to hold together, i.e. To compress or arrest; figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy. New American Standard translates as “controls.”
For various passages this word appears: (https://biblehub.com/greek/strongs_4912.htm).
This term also implies the concept of suffering (illness) and to be occupied with. God’s love gives Paul direction and presses him ahead in God’s call to proclaim Jesus’ death for our sins. God’s love is Paul’s primary motive, is it yours?
Paul boldly proclaims the Gospel to those willing to listen.
Practical Applications Chapter 5
- God’s love is made manifest (evident) through Christ’s atonement (life, sacrificial death, resurrection). God makes us alive so that we will live for Him. We live for Christ nor for ourselves! verses 14-15
- Experiencing God’s transformation motivates us to share the Gospel! If you have heard and accepted the Gospel, there is a change in your life and testimony. God changes how we view others. (v16)
- Paul explains that believers are new creatures (v17). God transforms our old natures through a process of redemption, renewal, and sanctification.
- God entrusts us with the message of reconciliation–we’re His ambassadors proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel (v18-21).
When we possess this compelling, Spirit-driven motivation of Christ’s love, we are zealous in seeing the lost reconciled with God.
We go to the lost, rather than letting them come to us. We are willing to make ourselves “a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible” (1 Corinthians 9:19); we “become all things to all people so that by all possible means [we] might save some” (verse 22).
The love of Christ compels us to love the lost enough to share the good news of salvation with them.
https://www.gotquestions.org/love-of-Christ-compels-us.html accessed 2/4/24
Paul boldly preaches Christ crucified and resurrected to the people of the synagogue.
Devotion/Articles
Oswald Chambers has a helpful devotion on this topic. You can read it at the link below.
https://utmost.org/the-compelling-majesty-of-his-power
Got Questions explains passage:
https://www.gotquestions.org/love-of-Christ-compels-us.html
Thoughts on Living for Gospel
https://wordpress.com/post/wordsofencouragementinchrist.com/4144
Loving Others in Christ’s Love
Do I love as Christ loves?
Words of Grace & Hope 