Q & A

QUESTION: What does it mean to know no one after the flesh or according to human or worldly viewpoint?

ANSWER: 2 Corinthians 5:16 (NIV) So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

(NLT) So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!

To know a man from human or worldly point of view is to know them by the outward appearance and circumstances: His place of birth, rank, culture and lineage. What Apostle Paul is saying here is that he previously regarded Christ that way (before his conversion). For instance: he thought of Christ as the son of Joseph instead of the Son of God and Saviour of mankind, but later, he ceased to judge of Him by such standards.

A "man" here is not the natural man. Paul is talking about a true born again Christian. This is why he used Christ as a perfect example and for clearer understanding of this truth.

Beloved, in Christ Jesus, we are different from the rest of the world. We are from above because we have been born of the Word and of the Spirit. We are not of this world. Our origin is divine and we live accordingly by the leading and governing influence of the Holy Spirit at work in our earthen vessels. As long as we are led by the Spirit, we are not ordinary beings. We are the very sons and daughters of the living God!

Shalom!