What does 'we thus judge' mean in 2 Corinthians 5:14?
The phrase 'we thus judge' means 'we conclude' or 'we reason.' Paul writes that because Christ died for all, all were dead in trespasses and sins. This is Paul's doctrine: the human race is spiritually dead until Christ's life-giving power is activated by faith in the Gospel.
Les explains that 'we thus judge' is simply 'we conclude' or 'we reason.' Paul is writing to the Corinthians, who were Gentiles. The love of Christ constrains or drives believers because they conclude that if one died for all, then all were dead. That is Paul's doctrine: the whole human race is dead in trespasses and sins until Christ moves in with His life-giving power, which is triggered by faith in the Gospel. This fits Paul's role as the apostle of the Gentiles, distinct from Jesus dealing with the Jew and Peter and the eleven as apostles of the Jew.
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
More Questions
What does 'constraineth' mean in 2 Corinthians 5:14?
In 2 Corinthians 5:14, the word 'constraineth' means 'drives us'.