As Revised Standard Version shows, verse 15 in Greek begins with the word And. This connecting word serves to introduce an elaboration of the final words of verse 14. In some languages one may have to introduce this verse with “that is to say…” or something similar. Note that Barclay begins the verse with “So….”

The words translated for in he died for all and who for their sake died later in this verse are the same as in the previous verse. See comments on 5.14.

In the expression those who live, the verb “to live” may refer to physical life only, but those refers to those who have the newness of spiritual life.

Live … for themselves … for him: the ideas of living for oneself and living for another person may present special problems in some languages. It may be necessary to say something “live to please themselves” and “live to please him.” Or another possible model says “that their lives may not belong to themselves, but to him.”

Who for their sake died: literally “who for them died.” See comments on 5.14.

Was raised: though the Greek has no agent for this passive verb, Paul elsewhere says that God raised Jesus (Rom 4.24; 8.11; 1 Cor 6.14; 15.15). In languages that do not naturally use the passive form in such a context, it will be possible to translate actively “who rose again,” without indicating the agent, or “whom God raised…,” making the agent explicit. In some cases it may be necessary to translate actively “he rose,” although this may represent a slight change in focus.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .