Meaning, commentary and cross references
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
NIV · New International Version
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
WEB · World English Bible
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ,.... There's a secret being in Christ from everlasting; so all that are loved by him, espoused unto him, chosen and preserved in him, to whom he was a covenant head, surety, and representative, are in him, united to him, and one with him; not in such sense as the Father is in him, and the human nature is in him, but as husband and wife, and head and members are one: and there is an open being in Christ at conversion, when a man believes in Christ, and gives up himself to him; faith does not put a man into Christ, but makes him appear to be in him: and such an one "is a new creature"; or, as some read it, "let him be a new creature": who understand being in…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on 2 Corinthians 5:16–21
And so great is the change the grace of God makes in the soul, that, as it follows, old things are passed away - old thoughts, old principles, and old practices, are passed away; and all these things must become new. Note, Regenerating grace creates a new world in the soul; all things are new. The renewed man acts from new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. II.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on 2 Corinthians 5:13–17
17. Therefore if any man is in Christ. As there is something wanting in this expression, it must be supplied in this way -- "If any one is desirous to hold some place in Christ, that is, in the kingdom of Christ, or in the Church [551] let him be a new creature " By this expression he condemns every kind of excellence that is wont to be in much esteem among men, if renovation of heart is wanting. "Learning, it is true, and eloquence, and other endowments, are valuable, and worthy to be honored; but, where the fear of the Lord and an upright conscience are wanting, all the honor of them goes for nothing.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 2 Corinthians 5:14–20 (WEB)
14For the love of Christ compels us; because we judge thus: that one died for all, therefore all died. 15He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16Therefore we know no one according to the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. 18But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Cross references
- Ezekiel 36:26
I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
- Ephesians 4:22–24
that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit,
- Isaiah 43:18–19
“Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old.
- John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”
- Psalms 51:10
- Ezekiel 11:19
I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh,
- Colossians 3:1–10
If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
- Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.