What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:16? So from now on • Paul links this moment to the decisive work of Christ described in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15—“One died for all; therefore all died.” Because Jesus’ death and resurrection are historical facts, everything changes “from now on.” • The phrase signals a clean break with old patterns (compare Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 4:22-24). Followers of Jesus step into a new era of thinking, valuing, and relating. • Cross reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17 continues the thought—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” The time marker in verse 16 prepares us to live out that new-creation reality immediately, not someday later. we regard no one according to the flesh • “The flesh” points to merely human standards—what can be seen, measured, or socially rewarded (see John 7:24; James 2:1-4). • Paul insists we stop filtering people through outward labels: ethnicity, status, failures, success (Galatians 3:28). Each person is now viewed through the lens of Christ’s redeeming work and eternal worth. • Practical implications: – Refuse prejudice, favoritism, or envy. – Affirm the image of God in every neighbor. – Evaluate ministry success not by numbers or charisma but by faithfulness to the gospel (1 Samuel 16:7 as a principle). Although we once regarded Christ in this way • Before his conversion, Paul judged Jesus by surface data: a crucified rabbi from Nazareth (Acts 22:3-5; 26:9-11). Many of us did likewise, treating Him as a mere historical figure, moral teacher, or religious option (John 7:5). • The rulers of this age did the same: “Had they understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8). • This confession keeps us humble; we remember our own blindness and extend patience to those who still see Christ only “according to the flesh.” we do so no longer • The risen Jesus appeared to Paul on the Damascus road, forever redefining reality (Acts 9:3-6). From that moment, Paul knew Christ as Lord, Savior, and Judge (Philippians 3:7-8). • Now we perceive Christ by faith, informed by Scripture and empowered by the Spirit (John 20:29; 1 Peter 1:8). His divine identity shapes every relationship and decision. • Because our view of Christ has changed, our view of people must change; the two are inseparable (1 John 4:20). summary 2 Corinthians 5:16 declares that, in light of Christ’s atoning death and triumphant resurrection, believers abandon surface-level judgments. We stop sizing people up by human standards and stop treating Jesus as anything less than Lord. Seeing Christ rightly re-creates our eyesight toward everyone else, opening the way for gospel-shaped love, unity, and mission. |
    |