What does 2 Corinthians 5:14 mean by 'if one died for all, then were all dead'?
The conclusion is that if one died for all, then all were dead—meaning every human being was dead in trespasses and sins. That condition is universal, not caused by paganism, religion, or immorality, but because all people are sons and daughters of Adam.
Les teaches that II Corinthians 5:14 is a conclusion or judgment: if one died for all, then were all dead. To explain what that death means, Les goes to Ephesians 2:1, where the Apostle writes to a predominantly Gentile congregation that they were “dead in trespasses and sins.” Les stresses this is the lot of every human being—not because they were pagan, not because of their religion, not because of their immorality, but because they were sons and daughters of Adam. Ephesians 2:2 repeats that while we were dead in trespasses and sins, we were living in the flesh. So the verse points to universal death in sin because all are Adam’s offspring, which requires being quickened or made alive.
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 Paul conclude in 2 Corinthians 5:14 about one dying for all?
In 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul draws the conclusion (or judges) that if one died for all, then all were dead.