Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 5:15

"and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again." — 2 Corinthians 5:15 (ASV)

Why was a life of self-pleasing impossible for Paul? Because of the supreme example of his Lord in dying for all. “The love Christ showed for us compels us to love and serve him and you [cf. v,13b], because when he died, sin’s penalty was paid and we died to ourselves, while through his resurrection we live to please him [cf. v.9] by serving you.” Thus Paul has now isolated two motives for Christian service: knowledge of accountability to Christ (v.11) and awareness of Christ’s example of self-sacrificing devotion (v.14); in other words, Christ as Savior and as Judge.

Ever since his conversion, Paul felt he had no other choice but to expend himself in the service of others for Christ’s sake (4:11–12; 12:15).

In addition he had two convictions about the death of Christ. The first was that since one man died on behalf of and in the place of all, all had undergone death (v.14b). What is this latter death? Either the death deservedly theirs because of sin (cf. Romans 6:23) or the death to sin and self that is involved in Christian living (cf. Romans 6:11–13). In neither case was the death a physical death like Christ’s; rather, it was a potential “death” of all human beings. Paul is not suggesting that, irrespective of one’s response and attitude, everyone knows forgiveness of sins or experiences selfless living. There is universalism in the scope of redemption in that no one is excluded from God’s offer of salvation; but there is a particularity in the application of redemption, since not everyone appropriates the benefits afforded by this salvation.

Paul’s second conviction was this: Dying with Christ should lead to living for Christ. He is not speaking of every person without exception but only of “those who live” in union with the resurrected Christ. While all people died potentially when the Man who represented them died, not all were raised when he rose. But for those who rose with Christ to walk “in newness of life” (Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:1–2), slavery to sin and self has ended while devotion to Christ and his church has begun (cf. Romans 6:6, 11). The outcome of Christian self-denial is a Christ-centered life filled with concern for others.