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Explore the profound transformation and reconciliation that comes from knowing Christ. Discover how old things pass away and new things come as we become new creatures in Him. This passage in 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 helps us understand the significance of being "in Christ."
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16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore – so that from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh recognize (know) - oida - is a perfect tense with a present meaning, signifying, primarily, to have seen or perceived; hence, to know, to have knowledge of according to - kata – according to or with reference to flesh – sarx - used for that which is merely external or only apparent, see – John 8:15, 1 Cor 1:26 from this particular time onward, not even one individual do we know as judged upon the basis of human standards (Wuest)
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. even though we have known Christ according to the flesh we have known - ginōskō - to be taking in knowledge, to come to know, recognize, understand according to - kata – according to or with reference to yet now we know Him in this way no longer yet now no longer do we know Him as such (Wuest) What do these statements mean? Paul’s pre-salvation interpretation of Christ contrasted with knowing Him as his Lord and Savior
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Therefore - so that if anyone is in Christ if – assumed to be true (1st class) assuming that anyone is in Christ (Wuest) What does it mean to be “in Christ”? see Rom 16:3 & 7; 2 Cor. 12:2 The idea of being “in Christ” is that of being in a living union with Christ. This is something that every believer possesses!
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. he is a new creature (or creation) new - kainos - not "new" in time, but "new" as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old see Eph 4:24, 2 Peter 3:13 creature - ktisis - the act of creating, or the creative act in process; like the English word "creation," it also signifies the product of the "creative" act Eph 2:10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works also see John 3:3, Rom 6:4
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. he is a new creature (or creation) The divine work in behalf of a saved person is nothing less than a new creation. He has passed through the creative hand of God a second time and has become a new creature. The result is a new birth, a regeneration by the Spirit. This new creation is organically related to Christ as a branch is in the vine, and as a member is in the human body. So the believer is in Christ. He is “created in Christ Jesus.” L.S. Chafer
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. the old things passed away passed away - parerchomai -metaphorically, to pass away, to perish - see Jas 1:10, 2 Pet. 3:10 (Aorist, Indicative, Active) What are the old things? old - of things which are "old" in relation to the new; of what characterized and conditioned the time previous to conversion (Vine) all that we were in Adam that which we were enslaved to because of our union in Adam (Hal Molloy)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. behold - Lo and behold! - serving to call attention to something (Zodhiates) new things have come note: this is a past completed action with abiding results up into the present and into the future – a permanent change! new - kainos – same as before lit: all things are become new What are the new things? see the Riches of Divine Grace by Chafer
Some of the Riches of Divine Grace by Chafer • Redeemed - Gal 5:1, Rom 3:24, Eph 1:7 • Reconciled – 2 Cor 5:19-21 • Forgiven all Trespasses – Col 2:13, Eph 1:7, Eph 4:32 • Justified – Rom 5:1, Rom 3:26 • Made Near – Eph 2:13 • Delivered from the Power of Darkness – Col 1:13 • Translated into the Kingdom of the Son of His Love – Col 1:13 • On the Rock, Christ Jesus – 1 Cor 3:11, Eph 2:20 • A Gift from God the Father to Christ – Jn 17:2-24 • Glorified – Col 3:4, Rom 8:30 • Complete in Him – Col 2:9,10
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, Now all these things are from God now -de - and or but all things -pas – all none excluded are from - ek – out of (as a source) see 1 Cor 11:12 What “things” in the context is he referring to? see verse 17 – the new things! But the aforementioned all things are from God as a source (Wuest)
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ who – God the Father reconciled - katallassō - to change from enmity to friendship; with regard to the relationship between God and man, it shows that primarily "reconciliation" is what God accomplishes see Rom 5:10 us “to Himself” this is God’s desire as we see in Acts 2:39 only God could do this on man’s behalf!
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, through (dia – by means of) Christ God is the author of reconciliation & Christ is the mediator of reconciliation McCalley How God accomplished this ! – see Eph 2:16 & Col 1:20 the One who reconciled us to Himself through the intermediate agency of Christ (Wuest)
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, and (God the Father) gave us the ministry of reconciliation gave us – lit: having given to us ministry of reconciliation This is one of the riches of God’s grace! However, all believers clearly share this ministry since God has reconciled us all. The word of reconciliation is the gospel message. Constable