“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 5:19 Mean?
Paul describes the heart of the gospel: God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. Three parties — God, Christ, the world — and one action: reconciliation. God was the initiator. Christ was the location. The world was the beneficiary.
"Not imputing their trespasses unto them" — the reconciliation includes a specific mechanism: God chose not to count the world's sins against them. The trespasses were real. The imputing was suspended. The debt was not charged to the debtor's account.
"Hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" — the message of reconciliation has been entrusted to believers. The reconciliation is God's work. The communication of it is the church's assignment. You carry the word that the world needs to hear.
The verse holds together divine initiative (God reconciling), christological location (in Christ), universal scope (the world), gracious mechanism (not imputing), and human responsibility (the word committed to us).
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does 'God was in Christ' mean for the location of the reconciling work?
- 2.How does 'not imputing trespasses' describe what God chose NOT to do — and why is that grace?
- 3.What does having the 'word of reconciliation committed unto us' mean for your responsibility?
- 4.Who needs to hear from you that God is not counting their trespasses against them?
Devotional
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. God was the one moving. Christ was the means. The world was the target. And the action was reconciliation — bringing together what had been separated, healing what had been broken, closing what sin had opened.
Not imputing their trespasses unto them. Not counting the sins. Not charging the debt. The trespasses were real — every one of them. But God chose not to put them on your account. The ledger that should have been filled with your offenses was left blank — not because you were innocent, but because the charges were directed somewhere else.
Hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. The reconciliation is God's accomplishment. The telling is your assignment. God did the reconciling. He gave you the message. The word of reconciliation — the announcement that God is not counting trespasses — has been placed in your hands.
You are carrying the most important message in the universe: God has reconciled the world to himself through Christ. The hostility is over. The trespasses are not being charged. The relationship is available.
Who needs to hear this from you? The word of reconciliation is not just for you to enjoy. It is for you to deliver. God did the work. You carry the word. And somewhere out there, someone is living under a weight of guilt that this message would lift.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,.... Since God has made reconciliation by Christ, and the ministry of it is…
To wit - (Greek, Ὡς ὄτι Hōs oti), namely This verse is designed further to state the nature of the plan of…
That God was in Christ - This is the doctrine which this ministry of reconciliation holds out, and the doctrine which it…
In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, both of which are…
to wit, that i.e. this is the tenor of our message.
God was in Christ reconciling Or -that God in Christ was…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture