Lord’s Library editors offer this Jesus knew no sin became sin Bible verse meaning, with commentary, from 2 Corinthians 5:21.
2 Corinthians 5:21 is a powerful Scripture that declares, “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, illustrating the profound exchange that took place on the cross, where Jesus, though sinless, took on the penalty of sin to grant us salvation. This passage is central to understanding how salvation is by grace through faith, and it reveals the depth of God’s love and the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice.
To grasp the full meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:21, it’s important to recognize that Jesus was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), wholly pure and blameless. In John 8:46, Jesus challenged His accusers, saying, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” This rhetorical question points to His sinlessness, a truth affirmed throughout Scripture. Despite His purity, God “made him to be sin for us.” This doesn’t mean that Jesus became a sinner; rather, He bore the penalty and wrath reserved for sin, standing in our place. Isaiah 53:6 prophesies this substitutionary role, saying, “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Jesus Knew No Sin Became Sin Bible Verse
In becoming sin for us, Jesus enabled an incredible exchange: His righteousness for our guilt. Romans 5:8 captures this love, stating, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Through faith in Him, we are justified, or declared righteous, before God (Romans 5:1). This righteousness is not of our own making but is imputed, or credited, to us through Jesus. Philippians 3:9 confirms this by expressing the desire to “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 we receive is described as the “righteousness of God in him.” This means that our standing before God is not based on our works but on the finished work of Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes this 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.” Our salvation, therefore, is entirely dependent on God’s grace and not our own efforts.
Romans 8:1 offers further assurance of this divine exchange, declaring, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” This means that believers, having received Christ’s righteousness, no longer stand condemned before God. Through His death, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law and satisfied the justice of God. Colossians 2:14 explains that He “blotted 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.”
In summary, 2 Corinthians 5:21 encapsulates the essence of the Gospel: that through Jesus, who became sin on our behalf, we are granted righteousness and reconciled with God. By grace through faith, we are saved, not by works but through Jesus’ finished work on the cross. This remarkable truth reminds us of the transformative power of God’s love and the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice for our salvation.
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