2 Cor 5:9-15

English Standard Version Chapter 5

9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Whether dead or alive we make it our aim to please God

English Standard Version Chapter 5

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

For we all- even believers- must appear before the judgement seat. What does the judgement seat entail for believers? 1 Cor 3:10-15, Rom 8:1, John 5:24, The judgement will not be a judgement as a punishment for sin. It is only believers in front of Jesus. The judgement is of work in this life. Did you live for the Lord?

English Standard Version Chapter 5

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

Judgement and wanting to please the Lord leads to fearing the Lord. What is the nature of this fear. I think its reverenece. The power of the judge the mighty arm of the creator is the one whom you are trying to please and whom will evaluate your works. But I it is not a fear of judgement. It cannot be. Jesus paid for that. Therefore the judgement must be something other than judgement for sin. Examination of works. How does this produce fear? Wanting to please him is a part of it. Terror is not a part of it. That leaves respect and reverence at his power that also creates a desire to please the one you fear.

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-believers-will-be-judged#:~:text=When%20you%20stand%20before%20%E2%80%9Cthe,put%20them%20in%20a%20pile.

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-future-judgment-will-christians-face

1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.”

English Standard Version Chapter 5

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.

We are not commending ourselves. He is giving the corinthians a foundation to rally to his and his gospels defense. The peddlers, the false teachers who were trying to discredit Paul were making the argument that he is real apostle. The foundation for which the Corinthians can stand on here are his motives, recieved love of Christ, fear of the Lord. Its his life, his suffering love, his teaching, his motives. It may not be big and flashy on the outside but his character shown through actions and message are their boast.

Superficail appearences count for nothing, internal reality is everything.

Not fear of dread. Not wanting to displease.

Paul hoped the corinthians would share the divine assessment of his ministry and motives

English Standard Version Chapter 5

13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

This is a description of the ministry motivation and validity. His own spiritual experiences are for God. The reasoned sober-minded teaching is for you.

The ministry is not validated by ecstatic spiritual expression.

Whatever Paul does, he does for others. If it appears crazy, it for God. If it is sound, right minded, it is for the cornithians. Whatever he does it is for love of others.

Whether our behavior appears to be rational or irrational, it is God or you who we do it for?

Alternatively, if we have ecstatic expereinces, it is for God. iF we are in our right mind, it is for you.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

The love of christ “keeps us from selfish motives”

the three all’s refer to all mankind. The Subjunctive “those who live are a reference to those who live by Christ and christ alone.”

English Standard Version Chapter 5

15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised

Move from slave to self to slave to Christs love

Pauls Motivations for ministry

Desire to Please Christ (9)

Fear of the Lord- judgement for acts in the body (10,11)

The Glory of God and the well being of the Corinthians (13)

Christs love (14)

Response to Christs death and Resurrection (15)

Who are you trying to please?

Saul. Tried to please his army.

The soldiers whipping Jesus. Tried to please their commander

Who are you trying to please?

What does not control them. Fear of God’s judgement, fear of pleasing men

What does control them. Love. Bringing glory to God. Loving others

Stand before the Father feel the warmth of his presnece and say back to him finally. Here is my meager offering.

Lives outside in, not inside out.

Doesnt start with myself, starts with God. From God I internalize his love and fear, then live for others