Paul wanted to emphasis the difference between how they perceived Jesus before He died, to the Jesus they knew after His resurrection! He went from being a simple, humble man to a glorious, overcoming, supernatural King! He wanted them to understand that we can know others from this perspective too. What he meant was, through our born-again experience where our spirits have become re-created in Christ Jesus – we are completely different on the inside than we were before we knew Christ! Now, when we see other believers, we can identify who they are in their spirits, and not perceive them from a merely natural point of view. Look at the AMPC version of this verse: “Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh].” Remember, when we are in Christ Jesus – whatever is true of Christ is true of us too! He is more than a conqueror, and since we have found our identity in Him – we are more than conquerors too! However, the extent to which we see this transformation of what is in our spirit-man be reflected in our natural-man, depends on how much of God’s truth becomes a revelation to us. Some Christians are further along in the transformation process than others. Which is why we must always choose to believe the best of each other and encourage one another to reach the full stature of who we are in Christ, without being critical or judgmental. When we have learnt how to keep our flesh under submission to our spirits, we look just like Jesus on the inside and out! Then, our peace, joy, and love in all circumstances will compel others to live this way too!