2 Corinthians 5
"A new creation"
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What does it say?
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Paul says our bodies are like tents that wear out, but God has an eternal house ready for us, so we walk by faith, not by sight. Christ's love compels us, because he died for all so that we would live for him. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." God reconciled the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them, and made us his ambassadors: "Be reconciled to God." God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Where it is in the Bible: 2 Corinthians 5
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A House From God | 5:1-5 | Our earthly tent will be replaced |
| 2. We Walk by Faith | 5:6-10 | Confident, whether here or with the Lord |
| 3. Christ's Love Compels Us | 5:11-15 | One died for all |
| 4. A New Creation | 5:16-17 | The old has gone, the new has come |
| 5. Ambassadors for Christ | 5:18-21 | Be reconciled to God |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul, writing to the church in Corinth around AD 55.
What came before. In chapter 4, Paul said we have God's treasure in jars of clay. Our outer self is wasting away, but our inner self is renewed day by day (4:7, 4:16).
What this chapter is. Paul looks ahead to what happens when our bodies wear out, and then to the heart of the good news: in Christ, God is making peace with the world. Anyone in Christ is a new creation.
How to read it. Watch for the word "reconcile." It means bringing enemies back together as friends.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5A House From God
Paul compares our bodies to a tent, something temporary that wears out.
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" (5:1).
In this tent we groan. We long for the new body God has ready.
God gave us the Holy Spirit as a promise of what is coming.
Section 2 of 5We Walk by Faith
"Therefore we are always confident" (5:6).
"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (5:7).
Paul would rather be "away from the body and at home with the Lord" (5:8).
Whether here or there, he wants to please the Lord. One day everyone will stand before Christ.
Section 3 of 5Christ's Love Compels Us
Paul works hard to persuade people about Jesus.
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died" (5:14).
Compels means pushes or drives.
"And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again" (5:15).
Section 4 of 5A New Creation
Paul used to judge Jesus by outward things. Not anymore. And he doesn't judge anyone else that way either.
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!" (5:17).
Section 5 of 5Ambassadors for Christ
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" (5:18).
God was making peace with the world in Christ, "not counting men's trespasses against them" (5:19).
"Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God" (5:20).
An ambassador speaks for a king in another land.
"God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (5:21).
Jesus took our sin. We receive his righteousness.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "The earthly tent we live in" (5:1) | Our bodies are temporary. |
| "An eternal house in heaven" (5:1) | God has something lasting ready for us. |
| "We walk by faith, not by sight" (5:7) | We trust God's promises, even when we can't see them. |
| "Christ's love compels us" (5:14) | Jesus's love moves us to act. |
| "A new creation" (5:17) | In Christ, God makes us new. |
| "Ambassadors for Christ" (5:20) | We speak for Jesus in the world. |
| "To be sin on our behalf" (5:21) | Jesus took our sin as if it were his. |
Back Then
Paul was a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3). He knew tents well.
Ambassadors in the Roman world carried messages from the emperor to other peoples, speaking with his authority.
Corinth's church had been in conflict with Paul. His words about reconciliation spoke to them, too.
Literal Reader Alert
Did Jesus become a sinner? No. He "knew no sin." God put our sin on him, and he carried it on the cross. This is called the "great exchange."
Does "new creation" mean I'll never struggle again? God has made you new in Christ. The old life still pulls at us, but it no longer defines us.
Should I be afraid of the judgment seat of Christ? The one on that seat is the one who died for you. Paul still says "we are always confident" (5:6).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Believers | Groaning | Their bodies wear out (5:2) |
| Paul | Confident | He walks by faith (5:6-7) |
| Paul | Compelled | By Christ's love (5:14) |
| Believers | New | The old is gone (5:17) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does this chapter say to you? Tap one.
My body is wearing out
God has an eternal house ready for you.
I want a fresh start
In Christ, you are a new creation.
I'm far from God
Be reconciled to God. He made peace through Jesus.
I'm not sure what to say about my faith
You are Christ's ambassador. His love speaks through you.
You Might Have Heard
"People don't really change."
What's true: Real change is hard, and we can't make ourselves new.
What the passage is mainly about: God does what we can't. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!" (5:17).
Where Jesus is: He died for all, took our sin, and made peace between us and God.
Good News
God didn't wait for us to come back. He came to us.
"God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (5:21).
Jesus took your sin and gave you his righteousness. In him you are a new creation.
In Christ, God reconciled the world to himself, not counting our sins against us. Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness. Anyone in Christ is a new creation.
Big Idea
We walk by faith, not by sight. In Christ, God reconciled the world to himself, and anyone in Christ is a new creation.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther called this the "happy exchange." Like a marriage, Christ takes what is ours, our sin and death, and gives us what is his, his righteousness and life.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 on the Fourth Sunday in Lent, alongside the Prodigal Son. In Year B, it reads 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 in June (Lectionary 11). 2 Corinthians 5:20b to 6:10 is read on Ash Wednesday.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fourth Sunday in Lent Year CSecond reading, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
- Lectionary 11 Year BSecond reading, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 [11-13] 14-17
For a newsletter or sermon notes
2 Corinthians 5, explained in plain words. We walk by faith, not by sight. And anyone in Christ is a new creation. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/2-corinthians-5/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church