2 Corinthians 5:11

Terror. Gr. phobos, elsewhere in the NT always translated “fear.” This fear is something far different from the terror that lost sinners will one day experience. Godly fear is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10). It is synonymous with profound reverence such as Isaiah felt when in God’s presence (Isa. 6:5), and is based on a realization of the character, majesty, and greatness of God, and of one’s own unworthiness. It is the root and mainspring of true piety. It prevents conceit (see Prov. 26:12), and is a deterrent to sin (2 Chron. 19:7; Job 1:1,8; 28:28; Prov. 8:13; Acts 5:5). It gives release from all other fears (Prov. 14:26, 27; 19:23). He who stands in awe of God can be free of all anxiety. The fear of the Lord is reverent adoration and obedient respect for a loving heavenly Father (Ps. 103:11; cf. Ps. 111:10). See on Ps. 19:9.

Persuade men. See on v. 20.

We are made manifest. What we are is known to God, and as the Greek implies, has been known to Him all along. God is fully aware of Paul’s high purpose to please Him, above all else, and Paul trusts that the Corinthian believers, as well, are now persuaded thereof. Some, if not many, of them had been tempted to doubt his good faith, and he appeals to their conscientious judgment, longing to have them acknowledge the fact. His true character as an ambassador for Christ (v. 20) should now be apparent to all of them.