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2 Corinthians 5:16

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!
2 Corinthians 5:16 · New Living Translation
Parallel translations
  • WEB Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
  • KJV 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.
  • BSB So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
  • NKJV Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
  • NASB Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Paul no longer evaluates people by worldly, fleshly standards, including how he once misjudged Christ. The gospel transforms how we view everyone.

Overview

In light of the cross, Paul stopped assessing people 'after the flesh' by outward, worldly criteria. He even renounces a former, merely human estimate of Christ in favor of knowing the risen Lord rightly. The new creation reality reshapes all of one's perceptions and relationships.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 16

  • Col 3:11where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
  • John 6:63It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
  • Phil 3:7–8However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ.
  • Jas 2:1–4My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality.
  • Jas 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
  • Gal 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.
  • John 15:14You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
  • 1 Tim 5:21–22I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
  • Gal 2:5–6to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.
  • Matt 10:37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.
  • John 2:4Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”
  • Deut 33:9He said of his father, and of his mother, ‘I have not seen him.’ He didn’t acknowledge his brothers, nor did he know his own children; for they have observed your word, and keep your covenant.
  • 2 Cor 11:18Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.
  • Mark 3:31–35His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
  • 1 Sam 2:29Why do you kick at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honor your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people?’
  • Matt 12:48–50But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

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Christ at the center

In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.

How 2 Corinthians 5:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.