Keraia
2 Corinthians 5

2 Corinthians 5:21

Ambassadors for Christ · 2 Corinthians 5:11–21
Read 2 Corinthians 5

Translations

Modern
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Traditional
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.
Literal
He made the One not having known sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Latin
Eum, qui non noverat peccatum, pro nobis peccatum fecit, ut nos efficeremur justitia Dei in ipso.

Original

Greek
English
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Notes

2 Corinthians 5:21

Christ became the offering for our sin on the cross by taking the penalty of sin upon himself and dying a criminal's death. He did this even though he never sinned (John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5), so we might be made right with God. That is, we are set in a right relationship with God and accepted by him (see Galatians 3:13).

2 Corinthians 5:18–21

  • God gives his servants the message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ.

  • God has given us the task of reconciling people. Paul speaks of his own ministry, but sharing this message is the responsibility of all believers. Christ’s ambassadors call people to accept what God has done so they can be made right with God through Christ.

  • Christ paid the penalty for people’s sins to remove all barriers between God and humans and to make us right with God.

2 Corinthians 5:11–7:4

Paul explains the main theme of his message: reconciliation. This means turning enemies into friends and restoring relationships. Paul's ideas are based on what God did through Christ to reconcile sinners to Himself (5:18–21). He presents this explanation while defending his own ministry (5:11–17) and applying his message to the situation in Corinth (6:1–7:4).

Glossary

Atonement Baptism of Jesus Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Body of Christ Day of Atonement Glorification Gospel Imputation Jesus Christ Jesus Christ, Teachings of Judgment Seat Justification, Justified Messiah Passion Psalms, Book of Reconciliation Rest Second Letter to the Corinthians Servant of the Lord Sin Sinlessness of Christ Test

Topics

Character of Christ: Sinless God: Love of, Exemplified Imputed Righteousness Jesus, the Christ: Design of his Death Jesus, the Christ: Holiness of Jesus, the Christ: Perfections of not Classified Under Foregoing Topics Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Justification Before God: Under the Gospel by Imputation of Christ's Righteousness Justification: General Scriptures Concerning Offerings: Animal Sacrifices: A Type of Christ Reconciliation: Between God and Man Removing Sin Righteous: Described Righteous: Unity of, with Christ Righteousness Imputed: Our Being Made the Righteousness of God, in Christ Righteousness of God Righteousness: Saints: Have, in Christ Sin-Offering was Typical of Christ's Sacrifice Sin: Christ Alone Was Without The Atonement: Justification By The Atonement: Ministers should Fully Set Forth Union with Christ: Beneficial Results of Righteousness Imputed Who Am I in Christ