READING TIME: 1 MINUTE
October 31, 2019
Dave, what does the phrase “reconciling the world to Himself” mean in 2 Cor 5:19?
2 Corinthians 5:19: “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).
God’s provision of reconciliation is universal. Because of the death of Christ, the position of the world was changed— people were now able to be saved. But that alone saves no one, for the ministry of reconciliation must be faithfully discharged by proclaiming the Gospel message. When an individual believes, then he receives the reconciliation God provided in Christ’s death (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). The world has been reconciled, but people need to be reconciled. The universal reconciliation changes the position of the world from an unsavable condition to a salvable one. Individual reconciliation through faith brings that reconciliation in the individual’s life and changes the position of the individual from unsaved to saved. Then, and only then, are his sins forgiven, though they were paid for on the cross.
Sources Used
Ryrie, Charles. Basic Theology. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999, 338, as quoted in Dillow, Joseph. Final Destiny: The Future Reign of The Servant Kings: Fourth Revised Edition. Grace Theology Press, chapter 8.