Question:
I also don’t understand verses 13 and 14. What does it mean when it says, “The love of Christ constrains us?” Does that mean that the love of Christ is what motivates them? And in verse 13 what are they beside themselves about?

Answer:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words tells us that the Greek word “sunecho,” translated “constrain” in 2 Corinthians 5:14, means to “hold together, confine, secure, to hold fast, to constrain.” The Spirit of God also uses this Greek word in Acts 18:5 to show the effect the Word of the Lord had upon Paul where we are told that he was “pressed in spirit” (A.V.), or “constrained by the Word” (R.V.) to testify to the Jews “that Jesus was the Christ.” In like manner in 2 Corinthians 5:14 we are told that the “love of Christ” constrains us.

I believe you are correct when you say: “motivates us,” or empowers, holds us together, etc. so that we do not live unto ourselves but unto Him who died for us and rose again. Therefore, how important it is that we are continually taken up with Christ’s love for us.Regarding your question about verse 13, we believe that we are told in the start of the section which begins with verse 9, what would have made them to be beside themselves. “Wherefore also we labor, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” Vine’s Dictionary again helps by telling us that the Greek word translated “labor” means “to endeavor,” “make it our aim,” and “are ambitious.” Verse 13 is saying the same thing. “For whether we are beside ourselves, it is to God.”