2 Corinthians 5:19
New International Version
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

New Living Translation
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

English Standard Version
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Berean Standard Bible
that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Berean Literal Bible
how that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning their trespasses to them, and having put into us the word of reconciliation.

King James Bible
To 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.

New King James Version
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

New American Standard Bible
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

NASB 1995
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

NASB 1977
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Legacy Standard Bible
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgressions against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Amplified Bible
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].

Christian Standard Bible
That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

American Standard Version
to 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.

Contemporary English Version
What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.

English Revised Version
to 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn't hold people's faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others.

Good News Translation
Our message is that God was making all human beings his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends.

International Standard Version
for through the Messiah, God was reconciling the world to himself by not counting their sins against them. He has committed his message of reconciliation to us.

Majority Standard Bible
that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

NET Bible
In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people's trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation.

New Heart English Bible
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Webster's Bible Translation
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Weymouth New Testament
We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men's transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation.

World English Bible
namely, 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
how that God was in Christ—reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses; and having put in us the word of the reconciliation,

Berean Literal Bible
how that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning their trespasses to them, and having put into us the word of reconciliation.

Young's Literal Translation
how 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,

Smith's Literal Translation
For as God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their faults; and having set in us the word of reconciliation.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation.

New American Bible
namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

New Revised Standard Version
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For God was in Christ, who has reconciled the world with his majesty, not counting their sins against them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For God was in The Messiah- he who reconciled the universe with his Majesty, and he has not accounted their sins to them and has placed in us our own message of the reconciliation.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
that is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging their offenses to them, and he has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Godbey New Testament
as that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their transgressions to them, even having placed in us the word of reconciliation.

Haweis New Testament
namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to them their offences: and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Mace New Testament
for it is God that has reconciled the world to himself, by Jesus Christ, by not imputing their sins to them; and hath committed to us the gospel of reconciliation.

Weymouth New Testament
We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men's transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation.

Worrell New Testament
how that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having put in us the word of reconciliation.

Worsley New Testament
to declare, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing to them their trespasses, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ambassadors for Christ
18All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.…

Cross References
Colossians 1:20
and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.

Romans 5:10-11
For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! / Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Ephesians 2:16-18
and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. / He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. / For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Romans 3:24-25
and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. / God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

1 John 2:2
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Romans 4:7-8
“Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

Isaiah 53:5-6
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. / We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 8:3-4
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, / so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Galatians 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” / He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Hebrews 9:26
Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

Isaiah 43:25
I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.

Psalm 32:1-2
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.


Treasury of Scripture

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

God.

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

John 14:10,11,20
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…

John 17:23
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

reconciling.

Romans 3:24-26
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: …

Romans 11:15
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

1 John 2:1,2
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: …

not.

Psalm 32:1,2
A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered…

Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

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.

committed, or, put in us.

2 Corinthians 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Jump to Previous
Account Charging Christ Committed Counting Entrusted Entrusting Imputing Making Message Namely Offences Peace Preaching Putting Reckoning Reconciliation Reconciling Sins Transgressions Trespasses Wit Word World
Jump to Next
Account Charging Christ Committed Counting Entrusted Entrusting Imputing Making Message Namely Offences Peace Preaching Putting Reckoning Reconciliation Reconciling Sins Transgressions Trespasses Wit Word World
2 Corinthians 5
1. That in his assured hope of immortal glory,
9. and in expectation of it, he labors to keep a good conscience;
12. not that he may boast of himself,
14. but as one that, having received life from Christ,
17. endeavors to live as a new creature to Christ only,
18. and by his ministry of reconciliation, to reconcile others also in Christ to God.














that God
The phrase "that God" introduces the divine initiative in the process of reconciliation. In the Greek, "Theos" (Θεός) is used, emphasizing the supreme deity, the Creator, and Sustainer of all. This highlights the sovereignty and grace of God, who takes the first step in mending the broken relationship between Himself and humanity. Historically, this reflects the monotheistic belief central to Jewish and Christian faiths, contrasting with the polytheistic cultures surrounding early Christians.

was reconciling
The Greek word "katallassō" (καταλλάσσω) is used here, meaning to change or exchange, especially in the context of restoring a relationship. This term implies a complete transformation, not just a superficial change. The historical context of reconciliation in the ancient world often involved resolving disputes between warring parties, which underscores the depth of peace God offers through Christ.

the world
In Greek, "kosmos" (κόσμος) refers to the entire created order, emphasizing the universal scope of God's reconciling work. This is not limited to a specific group but extends to all of creation. Theologically, this reflects the inclusivity of the Gospel message, breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female.

to Himself
This phrase indicates the direction of reconciliation—towards God. The relationship is restored not just to a neutral state but to a personal, intimate connection with the Creator. The preposition "pros" (πρός) in Greek suggests movement towards, indicating God's desire for closeness with humanity.

in Christ
The Greek "en Christō" (ἐν Χριστῷ) signifies the means by which reconciliation is accomplished. Christ is the mediator, the bridge between God and humanity. This reflects the core Christian belief in the necessity of Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection as the foundation for reconciliation.

not counting men’s trespasses against them
The Greek word "logizomai" (λογίζομαι) means to reckon or consider. Here, it signifies God's decision not to hold humanity's sins against them. This is a legal term, suggesting a divine pardon or acquittal. Historically, this reflects the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, where sins were atoned for, but now fulfilled and surpassed in Christ.

And He has committed to us
The Greek "tithēmi" (τίθημι) means to place or set. God entrusts believers with a sacred responsibility. This reflects the early Christian understanding of being stewards of the Gospel, tasked with spreading the message of reconciliation.

the message of reconciliation
The Greek "logos" (λόγος) for "message" indicates a word, speech, or doctrine. This is the Gospel, the good news of peace with God through Christ. Historically, this message was revolutionary, offering hope and transformation in a world marked by division and strife. Theologically, it underscores the mission of the Church to be ambassadors of Christ, proclaiming His peace to all nations.

(19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world.--Better, perhaps, How that it was God who was reconciling in Christ a world unto Himself. Both "God" and "world" are, in the Greek, without the article. The English rendering is tenable grammatically, but the position of the words in the original suggests the construction given above. He seems to emphasise the greatness of the redeeming work by pointing at once to its author and its extent. The structure is the same as the "was preaching" of Luke 4:44. All the English versions, however, from Wiclif downwards, adopt the same construction. Tyndale, Cranmer, and the Geneva version translate, making agreement between the world and Himself instead of "reconciling to Himself." The "world" is, of course, the world of men, the "all" of 2Corinthians 5:15.

Not imputing their trespasses unto them . . .--The two participial clauses that follow describe the result of the reconciling work. The first is that God no longer charges their transgressions against men: the pronouns being used in the third person plural, as being more individualising than the "world," and more appropriate than would have been the first person, which he had used in 2Corinthians 5:18, and which he wanted, in its narrower extension, for the clause which was to follow. The word for "imputing," or reckoning, is specially prominent in the Epistles of this period, occurring, though in very varied shades of meaning, eight times in this Epistle and nineteen times in that to the Romans. The difficulty of maintaining a logical coherence of this truth with that of a judgment according to works does not present itself to the Apostle's mind, and need not trouble us. (See Note on 2Corinthians 5:10.)

And hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.--Literally, to maintain the participial construction, placing with (or in) us the word of reconciliation. Tyndale gives "atonement" here, as in Romans 5:11. . . .

Verse 19. - God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. This and the many other passages of Scripture which always represent the atonement as the work of the blessed Trinity, and as being the result of the love, not of the wrath, of God, ought to have been a sufficient warning against the hideous extravagance of those forensic statements of the atonement which have disgraced almost a thousand years of theology (Romans 5:10; 1 John 4:10). That God's purpose of mercy embraced all mankind, and not an elect few, is again and again stated in Scripture (see Colossians 1:20). Not imputing their trespasses unto them. See this developed in Romans 15:5-8. Hath entrusted unto us; literally, who also deposited in us, as though it were some sacred treasure.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
that
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

reconciling
καταλλάσσων (katallassōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2644: To change, exchange, reconcile. From kata and allasso; to change mutually, i.e. to compound a difference.

[the] world
κόσμον (kosmon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

to Himself
ἑαυτῷ (heautō)
Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Christ,
Χριστῷ (Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

counting
λογιζόμενος (logizomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.

[men’s]
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

trespasses
παραπτώματα (paraptōmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3900: A falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin. From parapipto; a side-slip, i.e. error or transgression.

against them.
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

He has committed
θέμενος (themenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

to
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

us
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

message
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of reconciliation.
καταλλαγῆς (katallagēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2643: Reconciliation, restoration to favor. From katallasso; exchange, i.e. Restoration to favor.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 5:19 Namely that God was in Christ reconciling (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 5:18
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