2 Corinthians 5:11

εἰδότες οὖν τὸν φόβον κ. τ. λ.: knowing, therefore, sc., because of the conviction expressed in 2 Corinthians 5:10, the fear of the Lord, sc., as Judge (cf. Hebrews 10:31), we persuade men, sc., of our sincerity, but we have been (already) made manifest to God, as we shall be at the Day of Judgment (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). To regard πείθομεν (cf. Acts 12:20; Galatians 1:10) as referring to a “persuading” of the truths of Christianity is to depart from the context. He is now returning to the question at 2 Corinthians 3:1, and he has explained the motives of his ministry and the obligations to sincerity of speech which bind him. We should expect (in classical Greek) ἀνθρώπους μὲν πείθ. κ. τ. λ., but the omission of μέν does not destroy, though it obscures, the antithesis. It would be out of place to speak of “persuading” God of our sincerity; to Him we are “made manifest” whether we will or no. ἐλπίζω δὲ κ. τ. λ.: and I hope (as we say, “I trust”) we have been made manifest also in your consciences; see 2 Corinthians 4:2 for a similar appeal.