哥林多後書第五章第14—17節,保羅說基督對我們的愛是不可抗拒的一種力量,這種力量推動我們不再為自己活,而是為主耶穌基督而活,因為他為了我們的罪受刑罰死在了十字架上,這樣我們眾人在罪上也死了,從而得救永生進天國。因此,如果任何人是在基督裏,他就是新造的人,舊事已過,所有的事情都已經變成新的了。保羅勸勉我們從今以後,不要再憑著一個人的肉體(即外貌)去認識他,因為他那個過去的他在基督裏已經死了,現在有聖靈住在他的身體裏,雖然肉體(即外貌)沒變,但是他心裏已經有基督的靈了,是天國的子民了。
林後5:14 原來基督的愛激勵我們.因我們想一人既替眾人死、眾人就都死了.
For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.
林後5:15 並且他替眾人死、是叫那些活著的人、不再為自己活、乃為替他們死而複活的主活。
He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.
林後5:16 所以我們從今以後、不憑著外貌〔原文作肉體本節同〕認人了.雖然憑著外貌認過基督、如今卻不再這樣認他了。
Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
林後5:17 若有人在基督裏、他就是新造的人.舊事已過、都變成新的了。
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.