Lord’s Library editors offer this 2 Corinthians 5:21 meaning with commentary and supporting Scriptures for your edification.
2 Corinthians 5:21 is a breathtaking Scripture: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” This verse captures the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Scripture illustrates the legal exchange that took place on the cross, where Jesus, though sinless, took on the penalty of sin to grant salvation to all who trust in His Finished Work.
In this way, 2 Corinthians 5:21 is central to understanding how salvation is by grace through faith, and it reveals the gravity of Christ’s perfect work.
To grasp the context of the verse, it’s important to recognize that Jesus was “without sin” according to Hebrews 4:15: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Jesus challenged His accusers in John 8:46: “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” This rhetorical question points to His sinlessness, a truth affirmed throughout Scripture. Despite His purity, God “made him to be sin for us” amen! This doesn’t mean that Jesus became a sinner; rather, He bore the penalty and wrath reserved for sin, standing in the place of sinners. Isaiah 53:6 prophesies this substitutionary role, saying: “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 Meaning
In becoming “sin for us” Christ enabled the exchange. See Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Through faith in Him are believers justified before God. See Romans 5:8: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
This righteousness is not of one’s making but is imputed to man through the Finished Work of Jesus. Philippians 3:9 confirms this: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
The righteousness one receives in this way is described as the “righteousness of God in him.” This means that a man’s standing before God is not based on religious works but on the Blood Atonement of Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains clearly grace-based salvation: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Salvation, as it is written, is entirely dependent on God’s grace and not man’s effort.
Romans 8:1 offers further confirmation of this exchange: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law and satisfied the justice of God. Colossians 2:14 explains: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”
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