2 Corinthians 5:11

“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, etc..] Or the fear of the Lord; by which is meant either the grace of the fear of the Lord, implanted in the hearts of the apostles, and in which they acted in their ministry, faithfully dispensing to men the mysteries of grace; from which they could by no means be moved, because the fear of God was before their eyes, and upon their hearts; or rather the terror of the Lord in the last judgment, which will be very great, considering the awfulness of the summons, arise ye dead, and come to judgment; the appearance of the Judge, which will be sudden, surprising, and glorious; the placing of the thrones, the opening of the books, the position of the…”

“terror of the Lord--the coming judgment, so full of terrors to unbelievers [ESTIUS]. ELLICOTT and ALFORD, after GROTIUS and BENGEL, translate, "The fear of the Lord" (Co2 7:1; Ecc 12:13; Act 9:31; Rom 3:18; Eph 5:21). persuade--Ministers should use the terrors of the Lord to persuade men, not to rouse their enmity (Jde 1:23). BENGEL, ESTIUS, and ALFORD explain: "Persuade men" (by our whole lives, Co2 5:13), namely, of our integrity as ministers. But this would have been expressed after "persuade," had it been the sense. The connection seems as follows: He had been accused of seeking to please and win men, he therefore says (compare Gal 1:10), "It is as knowing the terror (or fear) of the…”

“Knowing therefore - We who are apostles, and who are appointed to preach the gospel, having the fullest assurance of the terrors of the day of judgment, and of the wrath of God, endeavor to persuade people to be prepared to meet Him, and to give up their account. The terror of the Lord - This is, of the Lord Jesus, who will be seated on the throne of judgment, and who will decide the destiny of all people, 2 Corinthians 5:10; compare Matthew 25:0. The sense is, knowing how much the Lord is to be feared; what an object of terror and alarm it will be to stand at the judgment-seat; how fearful and awful will be the consequences of the trial of that day. The Lord Jesus will be an object of…”

“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we the more earnestly persuade men to seek his favour; and as God knoweth this, so, I trust, ye know it in your own consciences. 2 Corinthians 5:12”

“5:11–7:4 Paul now explains the main theme of his message, which is reconciliation—the turning of enemies into friends and the restoration of relationships. Paul’s thinking is rooted in what God has done through Christ to reconcile sinners to himself (5:18-21). This exposition is framed by a defense of his own ministry (5:11-17) and an application of his message to the situation in Corinth (6:1–7:4). 5:11 One motive for Paul’s ministry is fearful responsibility to the Lord—not a cringing dread, but a healthy reverence (see Prov 1:7).”

“the terror: Gen 35:5; Job 6:4, Job 18:11, Job 31:23; Psa 73:19, Psa 76:7, Psa 88:15, Psa 88:16, Psa 90:11; Isa 33:14; Nah 1:6; Mat 10:28, Mat 25:46; Mar 8:35-38, Mar 9:43-50; Luk 12:5; Heb 10:31; Jde 1:23; Rev 20:15 we persuade: Co2 5:20, Co2 6:1; Luk 16:31; Act 13:43, Act 18:4, Act 18:13, Act 19:26, Act 20:18-27, Act 26:26, Act 28:23; Gal 1:10; Col 1:28, Col 1:29; Ti2 2:24-26 but: Co2 1:12-14, Co2 2:17, Co2 4:1, Co2 4:2; Co1 4:4, Co1 4:5; Th1 2:3-12 2 Corinthians 5:12”