2 Corinthians Class Schedule 7/9/17 2 Cor 5:19-21 R. Henderson

19  namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

19  namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. namely - lit: that is that God was in Christ (or in Christ was God) was – eimi – the state in which someone or something continuously exists see – John 1:1 --- the Word was God in - en - a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state) this speaks of the unity of Father and Son see Col 2:9

reconciling the world “to Himself” 19  namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. reconciling the world “to Himself” compare with v18 --- who reconciled us “to Himself” Rom. 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. “the world” has been reconciled to God - see 1 John 2:2

not counting their trespasses against them 19  namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. not counting their trespasses against them counting (reckoning) - logizomai - to count something to somebody means to reckon something to a person, to put to his account, either in his favor or for what he must be answerable – see Gal. 3:6; James 2:23 trespasses - paraptōma - primarily a false step, a blunder – a lapse from uprightness, a sin, a moral trespass, misdeed - see Eph 2:1 & 5; Gal 6:1 against them – lit: of them Who did God reckon our trespasses to?

19  namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation He (God the Father) committed – tithēmi - to place, lay, set, or put see 1 Cor. 12:18, 1 Tim 1:12 Lit: and He having placed or deposited in us the “word of reconciliation” word - logos - word as the expression of that intelligence, discourse - lit: a message - Eph. 1:13, 2 Tim 4:2 compare with the “ministry of reconciliation” from v:18

we are ambassadors for Christ 20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Therefore – or so then we are ambassadors for Christ we are ambassadors – present tense verb – continuous action as an ambassador in the present – see Eph 6:20 for Christ – lit: on behalf of Christ (for = huper) – 1st time We not only represent our sovereign but we also act in His place McCalley Therefore, on behalf of Christ and in His place we are acting as ambassadors, (Wuest)

as though God were making an appeal through us 20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. as though God were making an appeal through us as though (or as if) God were making an appeal - parakaleō - to call upon someone to do something, to exhort, admonish see – 2 Cor. 6:1, 2 Cor. 10:1 through us This makes us God's ambassadors, one of the most exalted titles the Christian can claim. Ambassadors authoritatively announce messages for others and request, not demand, acceptance. Constable

20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God we beg you - lit: we ask - deomai - to beseech, pray, request, - see Gal 4:12 on behalf of Christ – 2nd time be reconciled to God be reconciled at once to God (Wuest) What does this mean? Can man reconcile himself to God?

knew - ginōskō - to be taking in knowledge, to come to 21  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. He made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf First the middle part of this statement who knew no sin knew - ginōskō - to be taking in knowledge, to come to know, recognize, understand These verses (Heb 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5) tell us more details about Christ’s absence of sin Christ had no interaction with sin since He was not tempted by sin! – see James 1:13 He who did not know sin in an experiential way (Wuest)

made - poieō - to make, do, expressing action either 21  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. He made Him to be sin on our behalf made - poieō - to make, do, expressing action either as completed or continued. to be sin (lit: He made Him sin on behalf of us) Christ was made the thing sin itself What does this mean? on our behalf - lit: on behalf of us or for the sake of us 3rd time in these verses see 2 Cor. 5:15 7/9/17 2 Cor 5:19-21 R. Henderson

21  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him so that - with a purpose that we – the believer might become – ginomai – coming into a new state of being, a state that never existed before the righteousness of God in Him notice that this is “in Him” (the same as “in Christ”) see parallel verse Rom 3:21- 22 also 1 Cor. 1:30

The significance of being “in Him” * We read in the book of Ephesians that those who believe in Christ are: In Christ (1:3,7,10) In Him (1:4, 9,10,13) In the Beloved (1:6) In Whom (2:21,22; 3:12). In six chapters Paul writes no less than 36 times about the one who believes being ‘in Christ’! And being ‘in Christ’ is always the place of blessing & power & acceptance & love & identity, ‘in Him’. * Vern 6/13/2010