2 Corinthians 5:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} he hath made {G4160} him to be sin {G266} for {G5228} us {G2257}, who {G3588} knew {G1097} no {G3361} sin {G266}; that {G2443} we {G2249} might be made {G1096} the righteousness {G1343} of God {G2316} in {G1722} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God made this sinless man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we might fully share in God’s righteousness.”

Berean Standard Bible

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

American Standard Version

Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 5:21 stands as a profound declaration of the gospel, encapsulating the essence of substitutionary atonement and divine imputation. It reveals how God, in His infinite wisdom and love, orchestrated a "great exchange": He treated His sinless Son as the embodiment of human sin, allowing Him to bear its full penalty, so that those who believe might be clothed with God's own perfect righteousness through their union with Christ. This verse provides the theological bedrock for the ministry of reconciliation, demonstrating the unparalleled depth of God's redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse concludes a significant theological section in Paul's letter, building directly upon the themes introduced in [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"). Paul has just declared that "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This "new creation" is fundamentally rooted in God's reconciling work. Verses [2 Corinthians 5:18-20](/2_corinthians/5-18-20 "2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - The Ministry of Reconciliation") then introduce the "ministry of reconciliation," emphasizing that God has reconciled the world to Himself through Christ and has entrusted this message to believers as "ambassadors for Christ." Verse 21 provides the indispensable theological foundation for how this reconciliation was achieved, explaining the divine mechanism by which sinful humanity can be made righteous before a holy God. It is the climax of Paul's explanation of the new covenant and the believer's new identity in Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, a bustling, cosmopolitan city known for its diverse religious practices and moral challenges. The Corinthians struggled with various issues, including internal divisions, moral laxity, and challenges to Paul's apostolic authority. In this section, Paul is defending his ministry and the integrity of the gospel message he preaches. The concept of substitutionary sacrifice was not entirely foreign to the Jewish mind, given the elaborate sacrificial system of the Old Testament (e.g., [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")). However, Christ's sacrifice, as presented by Paul, transcends and fulfills these types, being a unique, once-for-all act of divine initiative. The idea of "righteousness" (δικαιοσύνη) was a key concept in both Jewish and Hellenistic thought, but Paul redefines it as a divine gift received through faith, not earned through human effort or adherence to the Law.
* **Key Themes:** Second Corinthians 5:21 powerfully articulates several core theological themes central to Paul's theology and the Christian faith. Firstly, it underscores **Substitutionary Atonement**, where Christ stands in the place of humanity, bearing the penalty for sin. This is explicitly stated in the phrase "For he hath made him [to be] sin for us." Secondly, it highlights the **Sinlessness of Christ**, a crucial prerequisite for His atoning work, as affirmed by "who knew no sin." Thirdly, the verse reveals the profound doctrine of **Imputation**, a "great exchange" where human sin is credited to Christ, and Christ's perfect righteousness is credited to believers. This is the essence of "that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." This imputed righteousness is not inherent in believers but is a legal declaration based on their union with Christ, providing the basis for their **Reconciliation** with God, a theme Paul extensively develops in [2 Corinthians 5:18-20](/2_corinthians/5-18-20 "2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - The Ministry of Reconciliation"). Finally, it speaks to the **Divine Initiative** in salvation, emphasizing that this entire redemptive plan is God's doing ("For he hath made him...").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **made (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb, G4160, signifies an active, deliberate act of creation or causation. In this context, it emphasizes that God Himself was the agent who "made" or "caused" Christ to be "sin for us." This is not a passive event but a sovereign, intentional divine decree. It highlights God's active role in orchestrating salvation, demonstrating His purposeful design in the atoning work of Christ.
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** G266, meaning "a sin (properly abstract)." Here, "sin" does not imply that Jesus became morally corrupt or inherently sinful in His nature. Instead, it conveys that God treated Christ as the embodiment or representative of human sin, allowing Him to bear the full legal guilt, penalty, and consequences of humanity's transgressions. While _hamartía_ can sometimes refer to a "sin offering" in the Septuagint, the primary force here is the identification of Christ with the totality of human sin, making Him the object of divine judgment on our behalf.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** G1343, meaning "equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification." This refers to God's own perfect, unblemished righteousness. When believers are "made the righteousness of God," it means they are declared righteous by God, not based on their own merits or works, but through their union with Christ. It is an alien righteousness, originating from God and imputed to them, making them acceptable in His sight. This is the legal and spiritual standing that enables reconciliation with a holy God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he hath made him [to be] sin for us,"**: This clause reveals the divine initiative and the nature of Christ's identification with humanity's fallen state. "He" refers to God the Father. God actively "made" or appointed His Son, Jesus, to be "sin." As explained in the key word analysis, this means Christ was treated as the representative and bearer of human sin, absorbing its penalty. The phrase "for us" (ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, _hyper hēmōn_) signifies substitution – Christ acted on our behalf, in our place, for our benefit. He bore the judgment that was due to us.
* **"who knew no sin;"**: This crucial parenthetical phrase underscores the absolute purity and moral perfection of Jesus. He was personally without any sin, either in thought, word, or deed. This sinlessness is indispensable for His atoning work; only a spotless sacrifice could effectively bear the sins of others and satisfy God's holy demands. His perfect obedience and pure nature made Him the only qualified substitute for sinful humanity.
* **"that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."**: This final clause states the glorious purpose and result of Christ's substitutionary work. The "that" (ἵνα, _hína_) indicates the divine purpose. Just as Christ was "made sin" (treated as sin) for us, so we, through faith in Him, are "made the righteousness of God." This is not an inherent righteousness we achieve, but a divine declaration, an imputed righteousness that originates from God and is given to us. The phrase "in him" (ἐν αὐτῷ, _en autō_) signifies our vital union with Christ; our new righteous standing is entirely dependent on and found within our relationship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
Second Corinthians 5:21 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological weight. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, or sharp contrast. The verse sets up a powerful opposition between "sin" and "righteousness," and between Christ's perfect sinlessness and humanity's inherent sinfulness. This contrast highlights the radical nature of God's redemptive plan. Closely related is **Paradox**, as it presents the seemingly contradictory idea of the sinless Son of God being "made sin." This paradox underscores the mysterious and miraculous nature of the atonement, defying human logic yet revealing divine wisdom. The language also employs **Metonymy** or **Representation**, where "sin" stands not just for sinful acts but for the entire burden, guilt, and penalty of sin itself, which Christ represents and bears. Similarly, "righteousness of God" represents the perfect legal standing and acceptance before God that believers receive. Finally, the verse is a concise **Summary Statement**, encapsulating the entire gospel message of substitution and imputation in a single, powerful declaration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a cornerstone of Christian soteriology, revealing the profound mechanism by which God reconciles sinful humanity to Himself. It underscores the concept of imputed righteousness, where our sin is attributed to Christ, and His perfect righteousness is attributed to us. This divine exchange is not merely a legal fiction but a transformative reality rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It highlights God's unwavering justice, which demands a penalty for sin, and His boundless love, which provides the perfect sacrifice in His Son. This reconciliation is entirely God's initiative and gift, not something earned by human merit, leading to a new standing before God and a new identity in Christ.

* [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - The Suffering Servant") - "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
* [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith") - Paul's extensive explanation of how God's righteousness is revealed apart from the law, through faith in Jesus Christ, for all who believe.
* [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") - "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Corinthians 5:21 is not merely a theological statement; it is a profound declaration of our identity and standing before God. To grasp its truth is to be liberated from the burden of self-righteousness and the despair of unworthiness. Our acceptance by God is not based on our performance, our good deeds, or our moral striving, but entirely on the perfect work of Christ. This should cultivate deep gratitude, humility, and confidence in our relationship with God. It empowers us to live not *for* righteousness, but *from* righteousness – the righteousness we have been freely given in Christ. This truth should motivate us to live lives that reflect the holiness and love of the God who made such an exchange possible, compelling us to participate in the ministry of reconciliation, sharing this glorious news with others. It also provides immense comfort in times of failure, reminding us that our standing is secure in Him, not in our fluctuating obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that Christ "knew no sin" but was "made sin for us" deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?**
* **What does it mean practically for you to be "made the righteousness of God in him"? How does this truth impact your daily walk and sense of identity?**
* **How does understanding this "great exchange" empower you to live a life of gratitude and service, rather than striving for acceptance?**

### FAQ

**Did Jesus literally become sinful in His nature?**

Answer: No, the phrase "made him [to be] sin" does not mean Jesus became inherently sinful in His nature or character. The verse explicitly states that He "knew no sin," emphasizing His perfect moral purity and sinlessness. Rather, it means that God treated Jesus as the legal representative and embodiment of human sin, allowing Him to bear the full guilt, penalty, and consequences of sin on the cross. He was imputed with our sin, meaning our sin was credited to Him, so that He could suffer the judgment we deserved. This is a legal and substitutionary identification, not a moral transformation of His divine or human nature.

**What does "the righteousness of God" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The righteousness of God" refers to a righteousness that originates from God Himself and is acceptable to Him. It is not a righteousness that we achieve or earn through our own efforts or good works. Instead, it is a perfect, divine righteousness that is imputed (credited) to believers through their faith and union with Christ. Because Christ bore our sin and perfectly fulfilled God's righteous demands, His righteousness is now legally and spiritually applied to those who believe in Him. This means that in God's eyes, believers are declared righteous, not based on their own merit, but on the perfect standing of Christ. This imputed righteousness is the basis for our reconciliation and acceptance with a holy God, as described throughout Paul's letters, particularly in [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Abraham Justified by Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second Corinthians 5:21 stands as the quintessential statement of Christ's redemptive work, revealing Him as the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for salvation. He is the sinless Lamb of God, foreshadowed in the Old Testament sacrificial system (e.g., [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Lamb Led to Slaughter")), who perfectly offered Himself once for all. In Christ, the paradox of divine justice and mercy finds its resolution: God, who is perfectly holy and must punish sin, simultaneously provides the means for reconciliation by making His Son "to be sin for us." This act demonstrates Jesus' unparalleled love and obedience to the Father, willingly taking upon Himself the curse due to humanity ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed from the Curse")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ secures for believers a new identity and standing, allowing them to be "made the righteousness of God in him." This is the core of the gospel, where Christ's perfect life and atoning death become the sole basis for humanity's reconciliation with God, making Him the focus of all hope and the source of eternal life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). He is not merely a moral example or a prophet, but the very means by which God's righteousness is both upheld and bestowed upon humanity, ushering in the reality of the "new creation" found only "in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 3:18

¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Romans 5:19

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

1 Corinthians 1:30

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

1 John 3:5

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.