2 Corinthians 5:19
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse highlights that reconciliation isn't just about us being okay with God, but about God actively working to bring the whole world back to Himself, through Christ. Notice that it's God who isn't counting our trespasses against us, a remarkable act of grace that frees us to then share this same message.
Paul is explaining the incredible ministry God has given believers through Christ. Just before this, he talks about how believers are new creations in Christ, with sin's power broken and their identity transformed. This verse then reveals why that transformation matters: God Himself is actively bringing the whole world back into relationship with Him, not holding sins against anyone, and commissioning us to share this amazing news of reconciliation.
We often think of making amends, but what if reconciliation starts with God, not us? This verse flips the script.
God's Mission, Not Ours
Paul clarifies that it's 'in Christ' that God is doing the reconciling. This isn't a human effort or a peace treaty we brokered. God, in His perfect love and timing, initiated reconciliation through Jesus. He wasn't waiting for the world to clean up its act; He acted first, bridging the gap created by sin.
The Great Exchange
The phrase 'not counting their trespasses against them' is profound. It points to the atoning work of Christ. Our failures, our sins, are borne by Jesus on the cross. God, in Him, chooses not to hold our debts against us. This is the foundation of His offer of peace.
After receiving such incredible news, we're not meant to keep it to ourselves. What does it mean to be handed this message?
The Weight of the Word
Paul doesn't just present a theological truth; he shares a commission. 'entrusting to us the message of reconciliation' means we have been given a sacred trust. This message isn't ours to invent or alter, but to faithfully communicate. It's the good news of what God has done in Christ.
Ambassadors for Peace
This entrustment makes us participants in God's ongoing work. We become His representatives, sharing the news that forgiveness is available and that a relationship with God is possible through Jesus. It’s a call to live out and speak forth the reality of God's reconciling love in our world.
Understand the original words
paraptōma · Greek Noun
A violation of God’s law, a moral slip, or a deviation from the path of righteousness; it signifies an act that transgresses divine boundaries.
This passage echoes 2 Corinthians 5:19 by highlighting how reconciliation with God is made possible through Jesus' death, leading to salvation.
Colossians 1:19-20Paul further explains the scope of Christ's reconciling work here, emphasizing that it extends to all creation, bringing peace through His blood on the cross.
2 Corinthians 5:20This verse directly follows and expands on 2 Corinthians 5:19, presenting believers as 'ambassadors for Christ,' continuing the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to them.
1 John 2:2This passage reinforces the idea of atonement for sins, stating that Jesus is the propitiation (satisfaction) for the sins of the whole world, aligning with the 'not counting their trespasses against them' aspect.
This verse highlights that reconciliation isn't just about us being okay with God, but about God actively working to bring the whole world back to Himself, through Christ. Notice that it's God who isn't counting our trespasses against us, a remarkable act of grace that frees us to then share this same message.
Paul is explaining the incredible ministry God has given believers through Christ. Just before this, he talks about how believers are new creations in Christ, with sin's power broken and their identity transformed. This verse then reveals why that transformation matters: God Himself is actively bringing the whole world back into relationship with Him, not holding sins against anyone, and commissioning us to share this amazing news of reconciliation.
Paul is explaining the incredible ministry God has given believers through Christ. Just before this, he talks about how believers are new creations in Christ, with sin's power broken and their identity transformed. This verse then reveals that transformation matters: God Himself is actively bringing the whole world back into relationship with Him, not holding sins against anyone, and commissioning us to share this amazing news of reconciliation.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Corinthians 5:19 is available in the Sola app.
"that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." — This verse highlights that reconciliation isn't just about us being okay with God, but about God actively working to bring the whole world back to Himself, through Christ. Notice that it's God wh…
