2 Corinthians 5:16-19 (WEL) So then, we acknowledge no one according to the flesh. Yes, even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we don’t know Him this way anymore. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things are gone. Look! All has become new. 18 All this is from God, who has reconciled us through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is because God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning their sins to them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
V16 So then, we acknowledge no one according to the flesh. Yes, even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we don’t know Him this way anymore.
There is no pope. The only one recognized is Jesus Christ, Head of the Church. Jesus has not given up His Lordship to a man. Compare Ephesians 1:22 and Colossians 1:18.
Jesus is in heaven sitting at the right hand of God the Father guiding His church and interceding for all believers (Hebrews 7:25).
V17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things are gone. Look! All has become new.
Being in Christ is important. It refers to corporate election. Once a person believes the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they are in the body of Christ.
Bridge Dictionary on the Church:
“From that time on, all who repent and believe the gospel are, through that same baptism with the Spirit, immediately made part of that one body and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13). This applies equally to all people, irrespective of sex, age, status, or race, for all are one in Christ Jesus (Acts 2:17-18; Acts 2:39). The new people of God consists of Abraham’s spiritual descendants, those who have been saved through faith in Christ, regardless of their nationality or social standing (Galatians 3:14; Galatians 3:28-29).
“By his act of uniting in one body people who were once in conflict with each other, God has carried out part of a wider plan he has for his creation. That plan is for the ultimate removal of all conflict and all evil from the universe, and the establishment of perfect peace and unity through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 2:13-16; Ephesians 3:8-11).”
The old things refer to the old sin nature, its desires, thoughts, words, and deeds. Now we have the new nature that is created by God (the new birth). We have new desires, thoughts, words, and deeds.
Being a Jew or Gentile means little anymore—Galatians 6:15.
The new birth is a result of the New Covenant—Ezekiel 11:19, Jeremiah 31:31-33, Luke 22:20, and Ephesians 2:15.
The new birth is righteous and true holiness—Ephesians 4:24.
The new birth is in the image of Jesus Christ—Colossians 3:10.
The new birth is indwelt by the Holy Spirit—2 Corinthians 1:22, Romans 5:5, and Galatians 4:6.
V18 All this is from God, who has reconciled us through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
Fellowship was broken by sin. It made us unclean in God’s sight, thus repulsive. Compare Leviticus 13:46.
Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and gave the condition for restoration—faith alone in Jesus alone. Compare Romans 4:1-5.
The restoration of believers’ fellowship with God causes us to want others to join in this fellowship. Compare 1 John 1:3-7.
V19 That is because God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning their sins to them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
It was God’s plan to save. Compare 1 Timothy 1:15.
It is only through Jesus Christ—Acts 14:12.
It is only by faith—Galatians 2:16, Romans 5:1, Philippians 3:9, and Titus 3:5.
He commissioned us to tell the Gospel to others—Matthew 28:19-20.
We learn:
- The only head of the church is Jesus Christ.
- Christians have a new creation upon faith in Jesus Christ alone.
- Jesus is the only savior.
Questions:
- Have you believed in Jesus Christ alone?
- Are you living the rules of the new creation?