2 Corinthians 5 19

2 Corinthians 5:19 kjv

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.

2 Corinthians 5:19 nkjv

that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:19 niv

that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:19 esv

that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:19 nlt

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5 19 Cross References

VerseTextReference
2 Cor 5:18Reconciled us and gave us ministry of reconciliation(Immediate Context)
Col 1:19-20Reconciled all things through Him, making peace by the blood of His cross(Christ's Work)
Rom 5:10Reconciled to God by the death of His Son(Means of Reconciliation)
Eph 2:16Reconcile both to God in one body through the cross(Unity in Reconciliation)
Rom 3:24-26Justified freely by His grace through redemption in Christ Jesus(Justification)
Isa 53:6The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all(Prophecy of Atonement)
1 Pet 2:24Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree(Bearer of Sin)
Gal 3:13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us(Redemption)
Rom 8:32He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?(God's Giving)
John 3:16God so loved the world that He gave His only Son(God's Love)
Rom 4:7-8Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered! Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.(Imputation of Sin)
Ps 32:1-2Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.(Psalmic Parallel)
1 Cor 1:30But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—(Christ as Provision)
Acts 17:30Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,(Command to Repent)
Heb 9:28Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many(Once for All)
2 Cor 5:15Died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves(Purpose of Death)
Rom 11:32For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.(Mercy on All)
Gal 2:20I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me(New Life in Christ)
Phil 3:9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God on the basis of faith;(Righteousness by Faith)
John 19:30So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!"(Completion of Work)
1 Cor 6:19-20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.(Bought at a Price)

2 Corinthians 5 verses

2 Corinthians 5 19 Meaning

God, through Christ, reconciled the world to Himself. This reconciliation means the world is no longer counted guilty of its sins, because Christ's sinless life and atoning death have been credited to them.

2 Corinthians 5 19 Context

This verse is part of Paul's powerful explanation in 2 Corinthians 5 regarding the new life believers have in Christ. He discusses the ministry of reconciliation, which is God's work of bringing humanity back into relationship with Himself through Jesus. Following Christ's death and resurrection, God no longer counts humanity's sins against them, effectively closing the account of sin. This divine act enables believers to be ambassadors of this reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5 19 Word Analysis

  • "God" (Θεός - Theos): Refers to the one true, sovereign God.
  • "was" (ἦν - ēn): Imperfect tense, indicating a continuous state or action in the past.
  • "in" (ἐν - en): Preposition signifying "in," "by," or "with."
  • "Christ" (Χριστῷ - Christō): The Anointed One, Jesus Messiah.
  • "reconciling" (καταλλάσσων - katallassōn): Present participle, acting as a substantive. It implies God's active, ongoing process of restoring relationship. The word suggests changing from enmity to friendship.
  • "the" (τὸν - ton): Definite article.
  • "world" (κόσμον - kosmon): Refers to humanity, the entirety of creation, or the realm of human affairs, apart from God.
  • "to" (πρὸς - pros): Preposition indicating direction or relationship towards.
  • "Himself" (αὐτόν - autous): Reflexive pronoun referring back to God.

Word Group Analysis:

  • "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself": This phrase highlights God as the initiator and active agent in the reconciliation. The preposition "in" shows that God's reconciliation action was accomplished through the person and work of Christ. The present participle "reconciling" underscores the finished and yet ever-present reality of this divine initiative. The "world" signifies all of humanity being the object of this action, and the phrase "to Himself" emphasizes the restoration of the relationship with God.

2 Corinthians 5 19 Bonus Section

The Greek verb "katallasso" (καταλλάσσω), translated as "reconcile," carries a significant meaning of exchange or alteration of disposition. In classical Greek, it could refer to changing enmity into friendship, or exchanging one thing for another. In a theological context, it emphasizes the divine act of changing humanity's relationship with God from one of alienation and hostility due to sin, to one of peace and favor. This restoration is a testament to God's boundless love and desire for relationship, demonstrating His power to overcome sin and death through the redemptive work of Christ. This doctrine of reconciliation is not merely a past event but has ongoing implications for believers, empowering them to be agents of reconciliation in the world.

2 Corinthians 5 19 Commentary

The verse encapsulates the core of the gospel message: God's initiative to mend the broken relationship between Himself and humanity, made possible through Jesus Christ. It is not humanity that reconciles itself to God, but God who acts decisively through Christ. This act of reconciliation means that God, in His sovereign grace, attributes righteousness to humanity not based on their own merit, but through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross. Christ's sinless life and sacrificial death served as the divine provision, bridging the chasm created by sin. Therefore, those who are "in Christ" are accounted righteous and brought back into fellowship with God. This concept of imputed righteousness is central to Paul's theology, as it underpins salvation by grace through faith alone.