2 Corinthians 5:17 Explained

The verse 2 Corinthians 5:17, as translated in the King James Version of the Bible, reads:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

This verse is a powerful declaration of the transformation that takes place in a person’s life when they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It speaks to the spiritual rebirth that takes place within us when we surrender our lives to God and allow His Holy Spirit to work in us.

The first part of the verse, “Therefore if any man be in Christ,” speaks to the importance of being in relationship with Jesus. This relationship is not just a superficial one, but a deep, personal connection with Him as our Lord and Savior. It is through this relationship that we are able to experience the transformation spoken of in the rest of the verse.

The second part of the verse, “he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” is a powerful declaration of the change that takes place in our lives when we surrender to Christ. This change is not a superficial one, but a complete transformation of our hearts, minds, and souls. The old things that used to control us, such as sin and selfishness, are no longer a part of our lives. Instead, we are given new desires and a new way of living that is pleasing to God.

This transformation is made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is He who convicts us of our sin, draws us to Christ, and empowers us to live a new life in Him. The Holy Spirit is the one who changes us from the inside out, making us new creatures in Christ.

As Christians, it is important for us to remember that we are not saved by our own efforts or good works, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot earn our salvation, but it is a free gift that is offered to us through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

However, this does not mean that we are not called to live differently as new creatures in Christ. On the contrary, we are called to live lives that reflect the transformation that has taken place in us. We are called to love others as Christ loved us, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to seek the will of God in all areas of our lives.

In summary, 2 Corinthians 5:17 is a powerful reminder of the transformation that takes place in a person’s life when they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It speaks to the complete change that occurs within us, as the old ways of living are replaced with new desires and a new way of living that is pleasing to God. As new creatures in Christ, we are called to live lives that reflect this transformation and to seek the will of God in all areas of our lives.