2 Corinthians 5:15
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
2 of 17
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτοῖς
unto themselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
unto themselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
9 of 17
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
13 of 17
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Colossians 3:1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.Colossians 3:17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.1 John 4:9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.Galatians 5:25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.1 Thessalonians 5:10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.1 Peter 4:6For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.1 Corinthians 10:33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Historical Context
Ancient culture emphasized honor, family, and social duty—but ultimate allegiance to divine Lord was limited. Christianity's exclusive Christ-devotion appeared antisocial (Acts 17:6-7). Paul insists: Christ's death purchases total ownership. Believers are love-slaves (Romans 1:1), finding freedom in utter devotion to their Redeemer.
Questions for Reflection
- Are you still living primarily for yourself—your comfort, ambitions, preferences—or genuinely for Christ?
- What specific areas of life do you withhold from Christ's ownership, maintaining zones of self-direction?
- How would your daily schedule and spending patterns change if you truly lived "unto Him" rather than unto yourself?
Analysis & Commentary
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves—Kai hyper pantōn apethanen hina hoi zōntes mēketi heautois zōsin (καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀπέθανεν ἵνα οἱ ζῶντες μηκέτι ἑαυτοῖς ζῶσιν). Christ's death has purpose (hina, ἵνα, "in order that")—ending self-centered existence. Mēketi (μηκέτι, "no longer") marks decisive break. Heautois (ἑαυτοῖς, dative reflexive, "for themselves") describes autonomous self-direction—living as if you were your own.
But unto him which died for them, and rose again—Alla tō hyper autōn apothanonti kai egerthenti (ἀλλὰ τῷ ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν ἀποθανόντι καὶ ἐγερθέντι). Life's new orientation: the One who died and rose for us. Egerthenti (ἐγερθέντι, aorist passive participle of ἐγείρω, "raised") emphasizes God's action—resurrection validates substitutionary death. Paul links death and resurrection inseparably—Christ's death atones; His resurrection inaugurates new life. Believers no longer belong to themselves but to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Self-ownership is abolished; Christ's ownership is total. This is Christian ethics' foundation: radical Christ-centeredness replacing autonomous self-direction.