2 Corinthians 5:17 kjv
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 nkjv
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 niv
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 esv
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 nlt
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 5:17 | If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation... | Radical transformation |
| Gal 6:15 | For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything... | Emphasis on new creation |
| Rom 6:4 | We were buried with him through baptism into death... | Identification with Christ's death/resurrection |
| Rom 8:1 | There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. | New standing |
| Eph 4:24 | and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God... | Moral transformation |
| Col 3:10 | and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge... | Renewal and knowledge |
| Gal 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts... | Faith working through love |
| Gal 5:24 | And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh... | Overcoming fleshly desires |
| John 3:3 | Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew... | Spiritual rebirth |
| 1 Pet 1:23 | since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable... | Spiritual regeneration |
| Titus 3:5 | he saved us, not because of deeds done in righteousness, but... | Washing of regeneration |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other... | Exclusivity of salvation |
| Phil 3:13 | Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own... | Pressing on toward the goal |
| Phil 3:21 | who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body... | Future glorification |
| 1 John 5:12 | Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son... | Possession of life |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works... | Created for good works |
| Heb 8:10 | For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel... | New covenant relationship |
| Jer 31:33 | But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel... | Promise of new covenant |
| Isa 43:18 | "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. | God's new doing |
| Rev 21:5 | And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all... | Making all things new |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal... | Transformation by renewal |
| 2 Cor 3:18 | And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord... | Beholding the glory; changed |
2 Corinthians 5 verses
2 Corinthians 5 17 Meaning
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and behold, the new has come. This verse proclaims a radical transformation available through union with Jesus Christ. It signifies a spiritual rebirth, a complete alteration of one's identity, standing, and condition before God. This newness extends to all aspects of life, both inwardly and outwardly.
2 Corinthians 5 17 Context
This verse is found in the Apostle Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, written around AD 55-57. The letter addresses ongoing issues and criticisms Paul faced from a faction within the Corinthian church who were questioning his apostleship. Second Corinthians 5, in its entirety, deals with themes of suffering, divine reconciliation, and the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to believers. Chapter 5:17 stands as a powerful affirmation of the transformative work of Christ in the life of a believer, emphasizing the absolute nature of this change in contrast to the superficial or outward measures promoted by false apostles. This statement likely served to distinguish true spiritual reality from counterfeit claims within the Corinthian church.
2 Corinthians 5 17 Word Analysis
- εἰ (ei) - "if". A conditional particle introducing a hypothetical or real condition.
- τις (tis) - "anyone", "someone". An indefinite pronoun, signifying generality and inclusivity.
- ἐν (en) - "in". A preposition indicating location, union, or spiritual connection.
- Χριστῷ (Christō) - "Christ". The dative case of Christos, referring to Jesus as the Anointed One, the Messiah.
- καινὴ (kainē) - "new". A feminine adjective in the nominative case, modifying "creation." It implies a new kind of thing, not merely an addition but a fundamental change.
- κτίσις (ktisis) - "creation". A noun referring to the act of creation or a created being/thing. Here, it denotes a completely new entity or being.
- ἐστιν (estin) - "is". The third-person singular present indicative of the verb 'to be'.
- τὰ (ta) - "the". The neuter plural definite article.
- ἀρχαῖα (archaia) - "old things". Neuter plural adjective meaning former, ancient, things of the past.
- παρῆλθεν (parēlthen) - "passed away". The third-person singular aorist indicative of the verb parerchomai, meaning to go by, pass by, depart, or cease.
- ἰδοὺ (idou) - "behold", "look". An interjection used to draw attention, often to something surprising or significant.
- τὰ (ta) - "the". The neuter plural definite article.
- νέα (nea) - "new things". Neuter plural adjective meaning new, fresh.
Group of words analysis:
- "Anyone is in Christ": This phrase signifies a profound spiritual union and indwelling by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. It's not just external association but an internal, life-changing relationship.
- "a new creation": This encapsulates a total renewal. It is not an improvement or modification of the old self, but the bringing into existence of something entirely novel, with a new nature, new desires, and a new purpose.
- "the old has passed away": This speaks to the cessation of the former life dominated by sin, separation from God, and adherence to the Mosaic Law in its outward, non-spiritual observance. It's a definitive break with the past state.
- "the new has come": This declares the presence and active power of the new life in Christ, characterized by righteousness, communion with God, and the indwelling Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5 17 Bonus Section
The concept of "new creation" resonates with God's initial creation of the world in Genesis. Just as God brought order out of chaos and life from nothingness, so too does He create new life spiritually in Christ. This transformation is an ongoing process that begins at conversion and continues through sanctification, culminating in glorification, where believers will be completely conformed to Christ's likeness. The term "kainē" (new) used here is significant; it's not merely "old made new" (palaios) but a quality of newness that originates from God's own fresh power and substance. This declaration contrasts sharply with attempts at self-improvement or ritualistic righteousness that offer no genuine internal change.
2 Corinthians 5 17 Commentary
This verse presents a fundamental truth of Christian theology: salvation is not about modifying one's life; it is about being entirely remade by God through Christ. The "new creation" status is entirely dependent on the believer's "in Christ" relationship. This status is so absolute that the past identity and the way of life associated with it are rendered obsolete. It is a comprehensive, supernatural work that reorients the entire person towards God, making former ways of living as if they never existed in terms of their defining power.