Fathers

2 Corinthians 5

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For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 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.

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 5:15

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

If therefore we ought not to live unto ourselves, be not troubled, says he, nor be confounded when dangers and deaths assail you. And he assigns besides an indubitable argument by which he shows that the thing is a debt. For if through Him we live who were dead; to Him we ought to live through Whom we live. …

Homily 11 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Therefore, since He brought us to life, we ought no longer to live "for ourselves," but for Him by whom we live, who not only died for us but also rose again, having taken up to heaven our firstfruits, that is, His body, so that He might wholly take us up as well. For what need was there for Him to ascend, if the same were not to happen to us also? Therefore, since He died for us, since He brought us to life, and since He gave us the pledge of incorruption, we ought to live for Him, and not for our own lusts.

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Cyprian

That, being redeemed and quickened by the blood of Christ, we ought to prefer nothing to Christ. ...Moreover, the Apostle Paul says: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, Because for Thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we overcome on account of Him who hath loved us." And again: "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a great price. …

Treatise XI Exhortation to Martyrdom Addressed to Fortunatus ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

He explains this interpretation when he says, and he died for all: "He died that we might live to Christ." Hence he continues, that those who live might live, namely, with a natural life, no longer for themselves, i.e., solely for themselves and their own good, but for him who for their sake died and was raised, namely, for Christ, i.e., he should direct his whole life to the service and honor of Christ: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗