Meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:19

This verse, 2 Corinthians 5:19, articulates the core of the Christian message: God, through the person and work of Jesus Christ, has initiated a cosmic act of reconciliation, bridging the chasm that sin had created between Himself and humanity. This reconciliation is characterized by God not counting people's sins against them, a profound declaration of forgiveness and a new standing in relationship with the divine. Furthermore, Paul emphasizes that this ministry of reconciliation has been entrusted to believers, making them ambassadors for Christ, tasked with conveying this salvific message to the world.

Context and Background

The Apostle Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, a community that had faced internal divisions and external pressures. In this section of 2 Corinthians (chapters 4-6), Paul defends his apostolic ministry, highlighting its spiritual nature and the transformative power of the gospel. He contrasts the transient suffering of this life with the eternal glory that awaits believers, and he emphasizes the new creation that occurs when one is in Christ. Chapter 5, in particular, focuses on the believer's identity as a new creation and the ministry of reconciliation that flows from this new identity. The concept of reconciliation (katallassō in Greek) was particularly relevant in the Greco-Roman world, where it could refer to the restoration of peace and harmony between estranged parties, even between nations.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Initiative in Reconciliation: The verse clearly states that God is the one who initiates and accomplishes reconciliation. It is not a human effort but a divine act of grace.
• The Role of Christ: Jesus Christ is the central figure and the means by which this reconciliation is achieved. His sacrificial death is the basis upon which God can justly forgive sins without compromising His righteousness.
• Imputation of Sin: The phrase "not counting people's sins against them" refers to the theological concept of imputation. In Christ, believers' sins are laid upon Him (as seen in Isaiah 53:6), and His righteousness is imputed to them (as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• The Ministry of Reconciliation: Believers are called and commissioned to be agents of this reconciliation, sharing the good news of God's offer of forgiveness and renewed relationship with Him.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance of this verse is immense. It offers assurance of forgiveness and a secure standing before God for all who trust in Christ. It liberates believers from the burden of guilt and condemnation, enabling them to live lives of freedom and purpose. For the church, it provides the foundational mandate for evangelism and mission. Believers are called to reflect God's reconciling love in their own relationships and to actively share the message of reconciliation with a world often characterized by division and brokenness. This means living out the gospel, demonstrating God's grace, and speaking the truth in love.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a pivotal point in the biblical narrative of redemption. It encapsulates the culmination of God's plan to restore humanity to Himself, a plan initiated in Genesis with the fall of man and progressively revealed through the Old Testament covenants and prophecies. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, which made true and lasting reconciliation possible. The New Testament, particularly the epistles, elaborates on the implications of this accomplished work of Christ. This verse serves as a concise summary of the gospel, which is the central theme of the entire Bible.

Analogies

• A Diplomatic Envoy: Imagine a nation at war with another. A diplomat is sent with a peace treaty, empowered by their government to offer terms of surrender and forgiveness to the enemy. The diplomat does not create the peace but carries the message and authority of their nation's decision to end the conflict and restore relations. Similarly, believers are God's ambassadors, carrying the message of reconciliation offered through Christ.
• A Debt Forgiven: Think of a person deeply in debt, unable to ever repay it. A wealthy benefactor steps in, pays the entire debt, and declares the person free from obligation. The person is not forgiven because they earned it, but because the benefactor chose to absorb the cost. God, through Christ, has paid the "debt" of humanity's sin, allowing Him to forgive us.

Relation to Other Verses

• Colossians 1:19-20: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." This verse echoes the theme of Christ's work in reconciling all things to God through His blood.
• Romans 5:10: "For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." This passage further emphasizes that reconciliation is a result of Christ's death and that it leads to salvation.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20: "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." This verse immediately follows 5:19 and directly states the commission given to believers as ambassadors of this reconciliation.
• Isaiah 53:5-6: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." This Old Testament prophecy directly speaks to the concept of Christ bearing our sins, which is the foundation for God not counting our sins against us.