2 Corinthians 5:12, commentary and pictures

Paul was not commending himself again to the Corinthians, but was giving them occasion to glory on his behalf so that they would have something to answer those who challenged him. That questioning of his apostleship sprang from jealousy and served to obstruct his work. The challengers gloried in outward appearance and attainments rather than in inward character and heart.

As part of 2 Corinthians 5:1-20, the verse does not teach separation of soul from body. It belongs to a contrast between the animal and terrestrial life of the whole person and the spiritual and heavenly life. It looks to the final renewal of the whole person when mortality is swallowed up by life, which God has wrought for the perfecting of soul and body together. There is no recompense of good or bad after death before the judgment seat of Christ at the second coming.

Compulsion by God or by His representatives to secure worship or service is utterly foreign to God's character, since worship must be in spirit and truth and must be freely and willingly given as heart service. God's ambassadors persuade people, beseech them, and entreat them to be reconciled to God. It is positively unchristian to use force or compulsion in matters of conscience and religion. In its setting of 2 Corinthians 5:11-14, the verse shows that apostles and church officers have no lordship over faith but are helpers of joy who persuade, because each person stands in faith for himself and must give account of himself before the tribunal of God. Knowing the terror of the Lord and constrained by the love of Christ, they care for the flock by example and persuasion rather than as arbitrary directors or dictators.