2 Corinthians 5:14

“For the love of Christ constraineth us, etc..] Or “containeth us”; holds and keeps us in our station and duty, as soldiers are held and kept together under a banner, or ensign displayed; to which the church refers, when she says, “his banner over me was love”, (<220204>Song of Solomon 2:4). Nothing more effectually keeps ministers, or other believers, in the work and service of their Lord, or more strongly obliges and constrains them to a cheerful discharge of their duty to him, and one another, than his love displayed in his covenant engagements, in his assumption of human nature, and particularly in his dying for them, which is the instance given in the text: because we thus judge; having…”

“For--Accounting for his being "beside himself" with enthusiasm: the love of Christ towards us (in His death for us, the highest proof of it, Rom 5:6-8), producing in turn love in us to Him, and not mere "terror" (Co2 5:11). constraineth us--with irresistible power limits us to the one great object to the exclusion of other considerations. The Greek implies to compress forcibly the energies into one channel. Love is jealous of any rival object engrossing the soul (Co2 11:1-3). because we thus judge--literally, "(as) having judged thus"; implying a judgment formed at conversion, and ever since regarded as a settled truth. that if--that is, that since. But the oldest manuscripts omit "if."…”

“For the love of Christ - In this verse, Paul brings into view the principle which actuated him; the reason of his extraordinary and disinterested zeal. That was, that he was influenced by the love which Christ had shown in dying for all people, and by the argument which was furnished by that death respecting the actual character and condition of man (in this verse); and of the obligation of those who professed to be his true friends 2 Corinthians 5:15. The phrase “the love of Christ” (ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦ agapē tou Christou) may denote either the love which Christ bears toward us, and which he has manifested, or our love toward him. In the former sense the phrase “the love of God” is used…”

“For the love of Christ - To us, and our love to him. Constraineth us - Both to the one and the other; beareth us on with such a strong, steady, prevailing influence, as winds and tides exert when they waft the vessel to its destined harbour. While we thus judge, that if Christ died for all, then are all, even the best of men, naturally dead - In a state of spiritual death, and liable to death eternal. For had any man been otherwise, Christ had not needed to have died for him. 2 Corinthians 5:15”

“5:14-17 Paul’s doctrine of reconciliation arises from his conviction that (1) Christ died for all believers; (2) in Christ, believers also die to sin and self; and (3) now all believers should live for Christ. The new life in Christ thus leads to a fresh evaluation of other people and of Christ. 5:14 Christ’s love controls us: This could refer either to believers’ love for Christ or (more likely) to Christ’s love for us, which urges believers on in making Christ known through their service (see 1 Cor 9:16).”

“the love: Co2 8:8, Co2 8:9; Sol 1:4, Sol 8:6, Sol 8:7; Mat 10:37, Mat 10:38; Luk 7:42-47; Joh 14:21-23; Joh 21:15-17; Co1 16:22; Eph 3:18, Eph 3:19, Eph 6:24; Heb 6:10; Pe1 1:8 constraineth: Job 32:18; Luk 24:29; Act 4:19, Act 4:20 because: Rom 2:2; Co1 2:14 one: Isa 53:6; Mat 20:28; Joh 1:29, Joh 11:50-52; Ti1 2:6; Heb 2:9; Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2 then: Co2 3:7, Co2 3:9; Luk 15:24, Luk 15:32; Joh 5:25, Joh 11:25; Rom 5:15, Rom 14:7-9; Eph 2:1-5; Col 2:13; Ti1 5:6; Tit 3:3; Jo1 5:19 2 Corinthians 5:15”