2Cor 5:18-19 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 18. And all things are of God ] As the thorough conversion of the soul is compared to a new creation , and creation is the proper work of an all-wise, almighty Being ; then this total change of heart, soul, and life, which takes place under the preaching of the Gospel, is effected by the power and grace of God: this is salvation , and salvation must ever be of the Lord; and therefore men should apply to him, who alone can work this wondrous change. Who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ ] Having given Jesus Christ to die for sinners, they have through him access unto God; for his sake and on his account God can receive them; and it is only by the grace and Spirit of Christ that the proud, fierce, and diabolic nature of men can be changed and reconciled to God, and by and through this sacrifice God can be propitious to them. There is an enmity in the heart of man against sacred things; the grace of Christ alone can remove this enmity. The ministry of reconciliation ] διακονιαντηκαταλλαγης. The OFFICE or function of this reconciliation called , , the word ; τονλογοντηςκαταλλαγης. the DOCTRINE of this reconciliation . καταλλαγη, reconciliation , comes from καταλλασσω, to change thoroughly ; and the grand object of the Gospel is to make a complete change in men's minds and manners ; but the first object is the removal of enmity from the heart of man, that he may be disposed to accept of the salvation God has provided for him, on the terms which God has promised. The enmity in the heart of man is the grand hinderance to his salvation.

‏ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Verse 18. And all things are of God] As the thorough conversion of the soul is compared to a new creation, and creation is the proper work of an all-wise, almighty Being; then this total change of heart, soul, and life, which takes place under the preaching of the Gospel, is effected by the power and grace of God: this is salvation, and salvation must ever be of the Lord; and therefore men should apply to him, who alone can work this wondrous change.

Who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ] Having given Jesus Christ to die for sinners, they have through him access unto God; for his sake and on his account God can receive them; and it is only by the grace and Spirit of Christ that the proud, fierce, and diabolic nature of men can be changed and reconciled to God, and by and through this sacrifice God can be propitious to them. There is an enmity in the heart of man against sacred things; the grace of Christ alone can remove this enmity.

The ministry of reconciliation] διακονιαντηκαταλλαγης. The OFFICE or function of this reconciliation called, 2Co 5:19, the word; τονλογοντηςκαταλλαγης. the DOCTRINE of this reconciliation. καταλλαγη, reconciliation, comes from καταλλασσω, to change thoroughly; and the grand object of the Gospel is to make a complete change in men's minds and manners; but the first object is the removal of enmity from the heart of man, that he may be disposed to accept of the salvation God has provided for him, on the terms which God has promised. The enmity in the heart of man is the grand hinderance to his salvation.

Verse 19. That God was in Christ] This is the doctrine which this ministry of reconciliation holds out, and the doctrine which it uses to bring about the reconciliation itself.

God was in Christ: 1. Christ is the same as Messiah, the Anointed One, who was to be prophet, priest, and king, to the human race; not to the Jews only, but also to the Gentiles. There had been prophets, priests, and kings, among the Jews and their ancestors; and some who had been priest and prophet, king and priest, and king and prophet; but none have ever sustained in his own person the threefold office except Christ; for none have ever ministered in reference to the whole world but he. The functions of all the others were restrained to the ancient people of God alone. 2. Now all the others were appointed of God in reference to this Christ; and as his types, or representatives, till the fulness of the time should come. 3. And that this Christ might be adequate to the great work of reconciling the whole human race to God, by making atonement for their sins, God was in him. The man Jesus was the temple and shrine of the eternal Divinity; for in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Col 2:9; and he made peace by the blood of his cross. 4. Christ, by his offering upon the cross, made atonement for the sins of the world; and therefore one important branch of the doctrine of this reconciliation was to show that God would not impute or account their trespasses to them, so as to exact the penalty, because this Jesus had died in their stead.

The whole of this important doctrine was short, simple, and plain. Let us consider it in all its connections: 1. You believe there is a God. 2. You know he has made you. 3. He requires you to love and serve him. 4. To show you how to do this he has given a revelation of himself, which is contained in his law, &c. 5. You have broken this law, and incurred the penalty, which is death. 6. Far from being able to undo your offences, or make reparation to the offended majesty of God, your hearts, through the deceitfulness and influence of sin, are blinded, hardened, and filled with enmity, against your Father and your Judge. 7. To redeem you out of this most wretched and accursed state, God; in his endless love, has given his Son for you; who has assumed your nature, and died in your stead. 8. In consequence of this he has commanded repentance towards God, and remission of sins, to be published in his name in all the earth. 9. All who repent, and believe in Christ as having died for them as a sin-offering, (2Co 5:21,) shall receive remission of sins. 10. And if they abide in him they shall have an eternal inheritance among them that are sanctified.