I’ve been reading in 2 Corinthians lately and tonight I came across a verse which I think i’ve read before..but i really just dont get it.
2 Corinthians 5:13. “If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.”
At first i was like “yeah, i totally get this. Sometimes i feel out of my mind for believing in God.” But the more i read it, and the more i read different versions, i dont think this is what it means. If Paul is out of his mind, its FOR the sake of God. Not because he doesnt think God even exists.
Here’s what some other translations make of this verse:
NASB–For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
MSG–If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.
Amplified Bible–For if we are beside ourselves [mad, as some say], it is for God and concerns Him; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit.
NLT–If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
New Life Version–Are we crazy to talk like this? It is all because of what God has done. If we are using our minds well, it is for you.
So what does this verse mean? That if we’re so crazy in love with God and his master plan and no one else gets us, thats okay because its between me and God anyways? And that if we’re making sense it is to encourage and guide believers to be like Christ? I’m so confused. I love when i dont understand something…it means God is going to show me something new. But im really really stuck on this verse, and i just have to know what it means. Or what people at least think it means.
HI,
well let’s see what does that mean,it’s different for each of us ,as your dad once said , we’re the good kind of crazy.
when it’s comes to some of this ya just trust GOD .
, and the next thing ya know (walla) ya figured it out.
take good care
love ya lots
grams
I take it as Paul saying that if our words do not make sense to you and we sound crazy or foolish, we are doing it for God’s glory. It it is making sense to you then the Spirit is drawing you and is opening your ears to the Gospel. Regardless, their preaching is not in vain.