2 Corinthians 5:11-15

11: Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
12: We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
13: For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
14: For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
15: and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

*** 

Paul knew the fear of the Lord very well, having just mentioned the eventual appearance of everyone before the judgment seat of Christ. This is when everything done in this body will be revealed for what it truly is. This fear of the Lord was his motivating factor in persuading men for Christ, whether for salvation or for instruction and growth. Just as these motives are clear before God, he hoped they were clear before them too.

Paul reassured them that he was not commending himself to them, becoming his own source of referral or recommendation. Instead, he was letting them know his sincere motives so they could answer those who were arrogantly making objections and opposing Paul.

Whether Paul & Co. were “beside themselves” which could have been due to the effect of the Spirit upon them, their passion due to the revelation of God and His truths, or whatever else it might have been, it was done unto the Lord. This very well may have been one of the accusations against him, so he addressed it here. Festus accused him of being “out of his mind” when Paul gave the gospel as his defense when under arrest (Acts 26:24). In any case, if anything they did or said appeared to be extreme or out of the ordinary, it was for the Lord.

On the other hand, if they were in a sound, humble state, it was for their sake as well. The love of Christ led him to the conclusion that Christ died for everyone. Which is the same as saying that every believer dies to sin so they might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again for them.

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