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
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 5:10 | For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son… | Reconciliation through Christ's death. |
| Col 1:20 | and through him to reconcile to himself all things... by making peace by the blood of his cross. | Cosmic scope of Christ's reconciling work. |
| Eph 2:16 | and might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross… | Reconciliation of Jews & Gentiles to God. |
| Is 53:5-6 | ...upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace... the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. | Vicarious suffering for human sin. |
| 1 Pet 2:24 | He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree… | Christ's bearing sin on the cross. |
| Rom 3:24-25 | ...justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation… | Justification and propitiation. |
| 1 John 4:10 | In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. | God's initiative in sending His Son. |
| Rom 5:8 | but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. | God's love demonstrated for ungodly. |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son… | God's loving initiative for the world. |
| 2 Cor 5:18 | All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. | Immediate context, ministry of reconciliation. |
| Rom 4:6-8 | ...God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” | God not imputing sin, forensic forgiveness. |
| Psa 32:1-2 | Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity… | Old Testament echo of not counting sin. |
| Heb 8:12 | For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. | Divine forgetfulness of forgiven sins. |
| Col 2:13-14 | ...having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us… | Forgiveness and cancellation of debt. |
| Eph 1:7 | In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. | Forgiveness through Christ's blood. |
| Rom 10:14-15 | How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? | Necessity of preaching the word. |
| Acts 13:38-39 | Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you… | Proclamation of forgiveness through Jesus. |
| Matt 28:19-20 | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… | Great Commission, spreading the message. |
| 2 Cor 5:20 | Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us… | Believers as ambassadors for reconciliation. |
| John 14:9-10 | ...Whoever has seen me has seen the Father... The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. | God manifested and working in Christ. |
| Col 1:19 | For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell… | The fullness of God dwelling in Christ. |
| Is 55:7 | ...let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. | Invitation to return and God's abundant pardon. |
2 Corinthians 5 verses
2 Corinthians 5 19 Meaning
This verse declares the profound truth that God Himself, through Christ, was actively restoring a right relationship between Himself and humanity, who were alienated by sin. Central to this divine initiative is the principle that God chose not to hold humanity's specific transgressions against them, thus providing forgiveness and making reconciliation possible. This transformative message of restored relationship and forgiveness is then entrusted to believers to share with the world.
2 Corinthians 5 19 Context
This verse is central to Paul's profound discourse on the essence of the gospel and his apostolic ministry in 2 Corinthians chapter 5. Paul has just described the transient nature of earthly life versus the eternal, heavenly dwelling believers anticipate (2 Cor 5:1-4). He speaks of striving to please the Lord whether at home in the body or away from it (2 Cor 5:9) and the "judgment seat of Christ" (2 Cor 5:10). The context then shifts to the transformative power of Christ, where anyone "in Christ is a new creation" (2 Cor 5:17). This new identity necessitates a new perspective—not knowing Christ according to the flesh, but understanding His ultimate redemptive work.
Verse 19 flows directly from this new creation reality, explaining the foundational act of God that makes it all possible. Paul underscores that reconciliation is entirely God's initiative (2 Cor 5:18), achieved through Christ. Historically, in the Greco-Roman world, "reconciliation" (katallagē) often referred to resolving disputes or restoring relationships, especially political or social ones, after a period of alienation. Paul elevates this concept to a spiritual plane, describing humanity's estrangement from a holy God due to sin. The verse therefore defines both God's central redemptive act in Christ and the crucial message that Paul, and all believers, are commissioned to carry forth. It counters any belief that humans can bridge the gap to God on their own or that God needs to be appeased by human efforts.
2 Corinthians 5 19 Word analysis
- to wit: A clarifying phrase (Greek: hĹŤti), often introducing a logical consequence or a further explanation of what has just been said. It signals that what follows is the substance or detailed elaboration of the "ministry of reconciliation" mentioned in the previous verse (2 Cor 5:18).
- that God was: (Greek: ho Theos Ä“n - God was/God existed). Emphasizes the divine actor and the state of being. The initiative and power reside entirely with God.
- in Christ: (Greek: en ChristĹŤ). This prepositional phrase is crucial. It signifies not merely "through Christ" (as a tool or agent), but God Himself acting within and through the person and work of Christ. The incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the visible, tangible manifestation of God's reconciling activity. Christ is not a third party reconciling God to us or us to God, but God's own active presence in the reconciliation process.
- reconciling: (Greek: katallassĹŤn). A present participle, indicating an ongoing or continuous action. It describes God actively bringing back into a right relationship those who were alienated. The term denotes a change from enmity to friendship, from estrangement to harmony. It highlights God's initiative; God doesn't need to be reconciled, humanity does.
- the world: (Greek: kosmos). Refers to humanity as a whole, irrespective of nationality or social status, estranged from God. It indicates the universal scope and potential reach of God's offer of reconciliation, showing no partiality.
- unto himself: (Greek: heautĹŤ). Specifies the ultimate goal of reconciliation: to bring alienated humanity back into a harmonious relationship with God Himself. It's a re-orientation from self-rule or rebellion to communion with the Creator.
- not imputing: (Greek: mē logizomenos). A forensic (legal) term, meaning "not reckoning," "not counting," or "not holding against." It's a divine declaration of judicial pardon, a deliberate act of choosing not to press charges or count trespasses as outstanding debt. This is foundational to forgiveness and peace with God.
- their trespasses: (Greek: ta paraptĹŤmata autĹŤn). "Trespasses" means going aside, deviations from the right path, or specific offenses. These are concrete acts of sin. "Their" points to the individuals in "the world" whose specific sins are being remitted.
- unto them: Clarifies that the sins are not counted against the individuals who committed them. This highlights personal forgiveness available through Christ.
- and hath committed: (Greek: kai themenos). Literally "and having placed," "laid upon," or "entrusted." It signifies that God has appointed and bestowed upon specific individuals—the apostles (and by extension, all believers)—a sacred responsibility.
- unto us: Referring to Paul and his fellow apostles, but broadly encompassing all who have received this reconciliation (as seen in 2 Cor 5:18, where us refers to believers generally having the ministry). This clarifies the recipients of the commission.
- the word of reconciliation: (Greek: ton logon tēs katallagēs). This is the message, the proclamation, the gospel itself. It is the announcement of what God has done through Christ to restore fellowship with humanity, inviting them to embrace this reconciliation through faith. It is the content of the "ministry of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5 19 Bonus section
- Objective vs. Subjective Reconciliation: The verse presents reconciliation as an accomplished fact on God's part ("God was in Christ, reconciling the world"). This is objective reconciliation—God's saving action through Christ that makes peace available to all. Subjective reconciliation occurs when individuals personally appropriate this peace through faith, changing their relationship from enemy to friend of God.
- New Creation Connection: This verse serves as the theological bedrock for the preceding declaration of the "new creation" in 2 Cor 5:17. One cannot be a new creation without first experiencing the divine reconciliation from sin and alienation, making this verse the "how" behind the "what" of spiritual rebirth.
- Universal Offer, Individual Response: While "the world" indicates the universal scope of God's loving provision and offer, the actual reception of this non-imputation of sins is conditional upon an individual's response to the "word of reconciliation." It's an open invitation, not an automatic salvation for all without faith.
2 Corinthians 5 19 Commentary
2 Corinthians 5:19 provides a profound theological summary of the gospel's essence. It emphatically declares God as the sole initiator and executor of reconciliation, achieving this monumental work in Christ. This "in Christ" phrase signifies God's personal engagement and presence within the person and redemptive acts of Jesus, encompassing His life, suffering, death, and resurrection. God didn't need to be persuaded to reconcile; humanity was the alienated party, estranged by sin. Thus, God, driven by His own loving nature (1 Jn 4:10, Rom 5:8), acted to draw the "world" (all humanity) back to Himself.
Central to this divine act is the astonishing declaration of "not imputing their trespasses unto them." This is a divine verdict, a forensic declaration of pardon. It means God chooses not to count specific human sins against them, cancelling the moral debt that alienated them from His holiness. This profound act of forgiveness, based on Christ's atoning sacrifice, paves the way for a restored relationship. Finally, the verse reveals God's strategy for making this reconciliation known: He has "committed unto us the word of reconciliation." This underscores the vital role of believers as messengers, ambassadors entrusted with proclaiming the good news—the specific message of divine initiative, Christ's work, and freely offered forgiveness—to a world still in need of being reconciled. It's a divine commission flowing directly from divine accomplishment.