2 Corinthians 5:21

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:21

This commentary explores its exegesis within the broader context of 2 Corinthians 5, highlights its key doctrinal emphases, and draws out its practical application for modern Christian living.

Context and Central Themes

In the wider context of 2 Corinthians 5, Paul presents the all-embracing ministry of reconciliation and the transformative work of God in creating a “new creation” in Christ. The chapter moves from a discussion of our earthly tent and our heavenly dwelling to the heart of the gospel—the reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity. This passage not only emphasises the certainty of our future hope but also underlines the profound nature of justification by faith. In this vision, the believer’s identity is redefined by a radical transfer of sin and righteousness, a theme that reverberates throughout Christian soteriology (salvation).

Exegesis of 2 Corinthians 5:21

The verse reads:

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us”

At the heart of Paul’s statement is the substitutionary character of the atonement. Our sin and its just penalty are imputed to Christ—though He Himself was without sin—so that He could bear the full weight of divine wrath against sin. This penal substitution is not to be understood as Christ becoming sinful in nature, but rather as a legal exchange where His sinless nature is substituted for our sin. In doing so, Christ assumes the responsibility for our guilt and punishment. This extreme demonstration of divine grace showcases the costliness of justification. Christ’s righteousness is credited to the believer through His sacrificial death.

“That we might become the righteousness of God in Him”

The latter part of the verse presents the victorious outcome of Christ’s substitution: believers are not merely forgiven but are also declared righteous. This righteousness is not an intrinsic merit of the believer but is imputed—the perfect righteousness of Christ is accounted to those who have faith in Him. Justification by faith alone rests on this imputation. Believers are seen as united to Christ; their sinful state is exchanged for His righteousness, initiating both a position of sanctification and a transformative calling to live in accordance with God’s moral law. This dual aspect of justification and sanctification is essential to the understanding of salvation, underscoring that while believers are declared righteous, they are also continually called to embody that righteousness in their daily lives.

Substitution and Imputation

This passage is a definitive statement about the nature of the atonement. Christ’s role as the substitute is not merely a symbolic act, but a decisive legal transaction before a holy God. In this view, the penalty of sin is borne solely by Christ: His sinless life becomes the sin for us so that the penalty we deserve is fully satisfied on our behalf. This truth provides the believer with assurance and shifts the focus away from any human merit to the complete sufficiency of Christ’s sacrificial work. The imputation of Christ’s righteousness means that modern believers are declared righteous in God’s sight solely because of their union with Him—a foundational tenet of justification by faith alone.

Application to Modern Christian Living

For contemporary believers, 2 Corinthians 5:21 carries profound practical implications. First, it serves as a reminder of the unmerited favour extended in Christ. In a world that often demands self-effort and merit, the doctrine of imputation reassures Christians that righteousness and acceptance before God are gifts rather than achievements. This truth is meant to inspire both gratitude and humility.

Furthermore, recognising that Christ took on the penalty of sin calls believers to live in a way that honours that sacrifice. It challenges modern Christians to reject the power of sin in their lives and to actively pursue holiness—not as a means of earning God’s favour, but as a response of love and gratitude for what has already been accomplished on their behalf. Such a life is one characterised by reconciliation with others, echoing Paul’s own ministry message in 2 Corinthians 5. Believers are commissioned to be ambassadors of reconciliation, extending the grace they have received to a broken and divided world.

The Unity of Doctrine and Practice

The teaching of 2 Corinthians 5:21 encapsulates the full scope of the gospel message. It declares that the very heart of the gospel is not only about being freed from the penalty of sin but also about being clothed in the righteousness of God. This transformation—the exchange of sin for righteousness—is both a doctrinal cornerstone and a practical impetus for living. It calls the believer to continual transformation, reflecting the new creation motif that Paul champions throughout 2 Corinthians 5. The assurance of justification by faith thus becomes a daily encouragement to live out one’s calling with integrity, love, and the bold proclamation of reconciliation, aligning every facet of life with the righteousness that has been gifted in Christ.

Conclusion

In summary, 2 Corinthians 5:21 teaches that Christ’s substitutionary death is the means by which the penalty of sin is borne by Him, resulting in the imputation of His perfect righteousness to believers. This profound exchange is at the very heart of soteriology, underscoring the doctrine of justification by faith alone. For modern Christians, this truth is not only the basis for eternal hope but also the driving force behind a transformed (and transformed) daily life—a life marked by gratitude, sanctification, and the active ministry of reconciliation in a fallen world.

This commentary unpacks Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 5:21 but also invites modern believers to live out its profound implications. The doctrine of substitution and imputation is not a dry legal concept—it is a transformative truth that shapes every aspect of Christian life, encouraging us to live in constant gratitude, active reconciliation, and renewed identity in Christ.