King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 5:15 Mean?

2 Corinthians 5:15 in the King James Version says “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for t... — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

2 Corinthians 5:15 · KJV


Context

13

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15

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.

16

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.

17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. he is: or, let him be


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselvesKai hyper pantōn apethanen hina hoi zōntes mēketi heautois zōsin (καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀπέθανεν ἵνα οἱ ζῶντες μηκέτι ἑαυτοῖς ζῶσιν). Christ's death has purpose (hina, ἵνα, "in order that")—ending self-centered existence. Mēketi (μηκέτι, "no longer") marks decisive break. Heautois (ἑαυτοῖς, dative reflexive, "for themselves") describes autonomous self-direction—living as if you were your own.

But unto him which died for them, and rose againAlla tō hyper autōn apothanonti kai egerthenti (ἀλλὰ τῷ ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν ἀποθανόντι καὶ ἐγερθέντι). Life's new orientation: the One who died and rose for us. Egerthenti (ἐγερθέντι, aorist passive participle of ἐγείρω, "raised") emphasizes God's action—resurrection validates substitutionary death. Paul links death and resurrection inseparably—Christ's death atones; His resurrection inaugurates new life. Believers no longer belong to themselves but to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Self-ownership is abolished; Christ's ownership is total. This is Christian ethics' foundation: radical Christ-centeredness replacing autonomous self-direction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient culture emphasized honor, family, and social duty—but ultimate allegiance to divine Lord was limited. Christianity's exclusive Christ-devotion appeared antisocial (Acts 17:6-7). Paul insists: Christ's death purchases total ownership. Believers are love-slaves (Romans 1:1), finding freedom in utter devotion to their Redeemer.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you still living primarily for yourself—your comfort, ambitions, preferences—or genuinely for Christ?
  2. What specific areas of life do you withhold from Christ's ownership, maintaining zones of self-direction?
  3. How would your daily schedule and spending patterns change if you truly lived "unto Him" rather than unto yourself?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
καὶ1 of 17

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑπὲρ2 of 17

for

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

πάντων3 of 17

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἀποθανόντι4 of 17

that he died

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

ἵνα5 of 17

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

οἱ6 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζῶσιν7 of 17

live

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

μηκέτι8 of 17

not henceforth

G3371

no further

ἑαυτοῖς9 of 17

unto themselves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ζῶσιν10 of 17

live

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

ἀλλὰ11 of 17

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

τῷ12 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπὲρ13 of 17

for

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

αὐτῶν14 of 17

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀποθανόντι15 of 17

that he died

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

καὶ16 of 17

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐγερθέντι17 of 17

rose again

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 5:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study