2 Corinthians 5:19
What does 2 Corinthians 5:19 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 5:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 5:19 means
Paul restates and expands reconciliation: “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself.” The initiative and the means are God’s; the scope is the world, offering real peace to all who come. Central to this reconciliation is non-imputation: God does not count trespasses against those reconciled in Christ. Additionally, God has entrusted to His servants the “word of reconciliation,” the message that announces and applies this peace. The verse unites theology and proclamation—what God has done in Christ and what His messengers declare. It assures sinners of God’s willingness to forgive and clarifies that this forgiveness comes through Christ’s saving work.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000to 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901to 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949That is, that God was in Christ making peace between the world and himself, not putting their sins to their account, and having given to us the preaching of this news of peace.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862how that God was in Christ--a world reconciling to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses; and having put in us the word of the reconciliation,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For God indeed was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their sins. And he hath placed in us the word of reconciliation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890how thatGod was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their offences; and putting in us the word of that reconciliation.
Context
Building on verse 18, verse 19 details reconciliation’s content and stewardship. It underscores God’s action in Christ and the forgiving character of that action, while noting the entrusted message. This naturally sets up verse 20, where Paul adopts the role his message implies—an ambassador through whom God Himself pleads. Verse 21 will then reveal the profound exchange that makes such reconciliation righteous and effective.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
- Matthew 1:23
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.
- Psalms 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
- 1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
- Colossians 2:9
for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,
- Romans 3:24
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
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