In the movie, The Princess Bride, there is a scene where the hired swordsmith, Inigo Montoya, says to his employer, Vizzini, in response to the continued usage of the word “inconceivable”, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” There is a lesson in that question that we must keep in mind when reading the Bible. Word studies are good, but words change over time in their usage and meaning. They can even change based on their context.
As someone who believes in the concept of free grace, sola fidelis, I am a firm believer that Christ’s death was for the entire world (John 3:16). In Second Corinthians chapter five, Paul repeats the usage of the term “all”. Does this mean the world as a whole or all believers? Many in Christendom apply passages from Second Corinthians in an evangelical manner. Still, I believe it is a book written to believers concerning Christian living and how we are to “walk this life”.
Let’s examine the use of “all” in this brief post.
In addressing the usage of the word “all” (πᾶς) in 2 Corinthians 5:13-15, we must carefully examine the context to determine the scope of its meaning.
The apostle Paul’s discussion in this passage is focused on the believers’ perspective and experience as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20). He contrasts the believers’ mindset, whether “beside ourselves” or “in our right mind,” and links it to their devotion to God and their service to others.
When Paul states that “one has died for all, therefore all have died” (2 Cor 5:14), the usage of “all” appears to be referring specifically to believers. This is supported by the subsequent verse, which speaks of “those who live” now living for Christ who died and was raised for their sake (2 Cor 5:15).
This interpretation is further reinforced when we consider the broader context of 2 Corinthians. Throughout the epistle, Paul consistently addresses the Corinthian believers as a community of the saved, expressing confidence in their standing before God (2 Cor 1:1, 13-14; 6:14). His appeals for righteous living are built upon their assurance of being born again, not upon doubting their salvation (1 Cor 3:1-3, 6:19-20).
When compared to other passages that use the term “all” or “world” in a universal sense, such as John 3:16, 1 John 2:2, and Hebrews 2:9, the usage in 2 Corinthians 5:13-15 appears to be more specifically directed towards believers. The context suggests that Paul is emphasizing the believers’ new identity and calling in Christ, rather than making a statement about the universal scope of Christ’s atonement.
In summary, the “all” in 2 Corinthians 5:13-15 seems to be referring to all believers, not the entire world. This interpretation aligns with the apostle’s focus on the Christian’s perspective and experience within the broader context of the epistle. As such, these verses encourage believers to live in light of their new identity and the transformative power of Christ’s love and sacrifice. So keep using that word thinking it means “all believers” and let’s keep walking worthy (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Note: Two good resources where this topic is referenced are:
