2 Corinthians 5:17 reads, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” King James Version (KJV)
Translation | 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. |
NASB | Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. |
NIV | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! |
NLT | This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! |
Also see Pray For Those Who Persecute You to learn more.
New Creation In Christ: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
5:16-21 The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things.
The heart of the unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with him. Yet there may be reconciliation. Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein.
Though God cannot lose by the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept the salvation he offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin.
The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
Can any lose, labour, or suffer too much for Him, who gave his beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins, that they might be made the righteousness of God in him?
Also see Do This In Remembrance of Me to learn more.
2 Corinthians 5:17 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17. Therefore—connected with the words in 2Co 5:16, “We know Christ no more after the flesh.” As Christ has entered on His new heavenly life by His resurrection and ascension, so all who are “in Christ” (that is, united to Him by faith as the branch is In the vine) are new creatures (Ro 6:9-11).
“New” in the Greek implies a new nature quite different from anything previously existing, not merely recent, which is expressed by a different Greek word (Ga 6:15).
creature—literally, “creation,” and so the creature resulting from the creation (compare Joh 3:3, 5; Eph 2:10; 4:23; Col 3:10, 11). As we are “in Christ,” so “God was in Christ” (2Co 5:19): hence He is Mediator between God and us.
old things—selfish, carnal views (compare 2Co 5:16) of ourselves, of other men, and of Christ.
passed away—spontaneously, like the snow of early spring [Bengel] before the advancing sun.
behold—implying an allusion to Isa 43:19; 65:17.
Also see Do Not Fear For I Am With You to learn more.
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