A Selected Passage: 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21


A Selected Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

By

Albert Gomez

The recipients at Corinth were informed of the excellence of the gospel message by the apostle Paul in this particular passage.

He is writing to a carnal congregation that struggle with divisions (1 Cor.1:18-4:21), fornication (5:1-6:20, that was corrected, and Paul in 2 Cor.2:5-11 wrote on reconciling the offender). In addition, they needed assistance in other issues like litigation, marriage, divorce, food offered to idols, order in service worship, head-covering, Lord’s supper, spiritual gifts, unity, resurrection, and how to handle collection for the church in Jerusalem.

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle defends his conduct (1:3-2:11), ministry (2:12-7:16), the collection, apostleship, and proposed visit. Except Philemon, this is the most personal letter and the least doctrinal letter written by Paul. (Gromacki)

Some commentators call 2 Corinthians the epistle of reconciliation (2 Cor.1:1).

We find right at the center of this epistle the ministry of reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, our selected passage.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

		The word Therefore, connects v.17 with the above verse, which states that the Christ we follow is not the one in the flesh, but is our Redeemer, the Son of God, the Spiritual one.

		"if any man be in Christ” implies redemption in His name (Isaiah 53:3-6; Col. 2:17). Old things are pass away because he is a new creature, has been born anew in Christ.

		"He is a new creature” means that the curse in Adam is removed ( Rom. 5:17-19), and a new life is established in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 15:22). Any man who believes in Him has eternal life, and the old life of unbelief with all corrupt behaviors is over (1 Cor.6:11; Col. 3:7-10; Eph. 4:22 ). Anyone that is in Christ becomes a new creature and the old man which was in Adam is overcome in Jesus (Rom. 5:12).

		When a person is saved, through faith which is in Christ Jesus, he/she becomes a new creature who does not live anymore to satisfy the flesh, but live to please the Lord that bought him/her.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

		"And all things are of God” (v.18), many scriptures are confirming this words (John 1:1; Heb. 1:8-10) of Paul who presents from God the ministry of reconciliation. The work that Jesus performed in Calvary paid the penalty for sin to reconciles us with God (Eph. 2:14-16). He has chosen us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9-10). Since the beginning our God had promised a way out to man’s sin (Gen. 3:15), out of the seed of Abraham (Gen 26:4; Gal. 3:16,29; Heb. 2:16-17). Reconciliation is related with sacrifice/blood (Lev. 8:15; 2 Chron. 27:24; Ezek. 45:15; Heb. 9:22), and was the blood of Jesus that established it. The fact that we were reconciled to God, is not the end of a blessing, but the beginning. God through Jesus Christ has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Now that we have believed, we are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.

		The Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines the term reconciliation as follows:

		RECONCILIA'TION, n. [L. reconciliatio.]. 1. The act of reconciling parties at variance; renewal of friendship after disagreement or enmity. Reconciliation and friendship with God, really form the basis of all rational and true enjoyment. 2. In Scripture, the means by which sinners are reconciled and brought into a state of favor with God, after natural estrangement or enmity; the atonement; expiation. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sin, and to make reconciliation for iniquity. Dan. 9. Heb. 2. 3. Agreement of things seemingly opposite, different or inconsistent.

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

		The word imputing, v.19, is a very important one. This word settles the issue of reconciliation that was broken for our trespasses (Isa. 59:2), and is found written in Ps. 32:1-2 (Rom. 4:6), where King David states, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven”. For there is not condemnation in our Lord (Rom. 8:1), who paid for our sins (for the wages of sin is death, Rom.6:23).

		God not only has forgiven us, but also has called us to minister the Word of God. The word of reconciliation to the heathen from our God is, "…believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30.

		"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." (The New International Version, [Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House]1984)

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

		The title of ambassadors is given to the ministers of God’s word. As the apostle interceded in prayer for the Corinthians, and other congregations, we must do it in Christ’s stead also. Beseech, is the word used in the KJV (urge, NTL; appeal, NRSV; implore, NIV). These words, used by different translations, are for the humble attitude of reaching out in God’s mercy. Moreover, we are mediating, interceding, in God’s name to reconcile people to Him, that they may be able to enter His Kingdom.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

		"He hath made him to be sin for us”, as Jesus himself said (John 3:14-15), that He must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert (Num. 21:7-9). For the plan of God is that we should not perish, but obtain eternal life. For that reason, He became a curse for us (Gal. 3:13) as it is written in the law (Deut. 21:22).

		"That we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Receiving in Him the blessing promised to Abraham (Gal 3:14). The greatest news is that He was raised again for our justification.(Rom. 4:25; 1 Peter 1:24). In addition, He is now in God’s presence for us. (Heb. 9:24) The word righteousness means to be justified. Sin has been dealt with, now we are a new creation.

		This is one of the most richly condensed verses in Paul’s epistles. It dealt with sin, once and for all (Heb. 10:10), and how it pleased God to set us free from sin (Rom 6:18).

		The problem of the human race has been identified: sin; the natural human condition: lost; our Redeemer’s attribute: Holy; the price required by God to pay: death; and the work that the Lord Jesus performed: perfect/complete, sufficient, and satisfactory. In addition, He caused us to become righteous in Him.

		Our finished condition is justified, once this verse’s truth is applied to our lives. We have been set free from sin (death), and saved from eternal condemnation. Because He lives, we shall also live. In conclusion, "Jesus paid a debt He didn’t owe- because we had a debt we couldn’t pay!” (Friends of Israel’s post card saying)