2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Study Note
Study Note
'Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men' — Paul grounds his apostolic persuasion not in rhetorical skill or social prestige but in the solemn awareness of divine judgment introduced by the 'judgment seat of Christ' in verse 10. The Greek phobos Kyriou ('fear of the Lord') echoes the Old Testament's recurring wisdom motif but applies it specifically to apostolic accountability, making Paul's ministry inseparable from eschatological seriousness. The verse is significant for discussions of Christian apologetics and evangelism: it presents persuasion as both intellectually serious and existentially urgent, motivated by the reality of judgment rather than mere church growth.
Other Translations
Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
having known, therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, and to God we are manifested, and I hope also in your consciences to have been manifested;
Having in mind, then, the fear of the Lord, we put these things before men, but God sees our hearts; and it is my hope that we may seem right in your eyes.
Cross References
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? …
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, …
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than …
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also …
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the …
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him …