Meaning, commentary and cross references
2 Corinthians 5:21
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
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.
NIV · New International Version
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
WEB · World English Bible
For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
What does 2 Corinthians 5:21 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us,.... Christ was made of a woman, took flesh of a sinful woman; though the flesh he took of her was not sinful, being sanctified by the Spirit of God, the former of Christ's human nature: however, he appeared "in the likeness of sinful flesh"; being attended with infirmities, the effects of sin, though sinless; and he was traduced by men as a sinner, and treated as such. Moreover, he was made a sacrifice for sin, in order to make expiation and atonement for it; so the Hebrew word signifies both sin and a sin offering; see Psalm 40:6 and so Romans 8:3. But besides all this, he was made sin itself by imputation; the sins of all his people were transferred…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on 2 Corinthians 5:18–21
21. Him who knew no sin. Do you observe, that, according to Paul, there is no return to favor with God, except what is founded on the sacrifice of Christ alone? Let us learn, therefore, to turn our views in that direction, whenever we desire to be absolved from guilt.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 2 Corinthians 5:18–21 (WEB)
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. 21For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Cross references
- 1 Peter 2:22–24
who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
- 1 Peter 3:18
Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit,
- Romans 5:19
For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.
- Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”
- 1 Corinthians 1:30
Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
- 1 John 3:5
You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and no sin is in him.
- Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith,
- Isaiah 53:4–6
Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q37. What is justification?
Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.