Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:18

What does 2 Corinthians 5:18 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 5:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 5:18 means

All this newness originates in God. He reconciled us to Himself through Christ—God acted to end the enmity our sins created—and then entrusted to Paul and his companions the ministry of reconciliation. Salvation is God-centered from start to finish: He initiates peace, provides the Mediator, and then sends reconciled people to announce reconciliation. The verse emphasizes grace and mission. Believers are not only beneficiaries but also stewards, carrying God’s appeal to others. The reconciliation is not human negotiation with God; it is God’s gracious accomplishment applied through Christ and proclaimed through His servants.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But all things are of God, who has made us at peace with himself through Christ, and has given to us the work of making peace;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the all things <FI>are<Fi> of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and did give to us the ministration of the reconciliation,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and all things [are] of theGod who has reconciled us to himself by [Jesus] Christ, and given to us the ministry of that reconciliation:

Context

After declaring new creation (v. 17), Paul explains its divine source and missional effect. Verse 18 attributes everything to God, who reconciled and commissioned. Verse 19 will specify what reconciliation entails—God in Christ not counting trespasses and entrusting the word of reconciliation—leading to verse 20’s ambassadorial appeal. The flow highlights God’s initiative and the apostolic task that flows from it, reinforcing Paul’s legitimacy as a minister of this message.

v.17Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

v.18This passage

v.19to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:6

    yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

  • Acts 10:36

    The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)—

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • Isaiah 57:19

    I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith Jehovah; and I will heal him.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30

    But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

  • Mark 16:15

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

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