2 Corinthians 5:16-21

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁶ From now on, therefore, _h we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is _i in Christ, he is _j a new creation. _{1 k} The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, _l who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us _m the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling ₂ the world to himself, _n not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us _m the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, _o we are ambassadors for Christ, _p God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ _q For our sake he made him to be sin _r who knew no sin, so that in him we might become _s the righteousness of God.

1. Cross References
   Galatians 2:6
   And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) - those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
   Philippians 3:7 - 8
   But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
   Colossians 2:11
   In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.
   1 Timothy 5:21
   In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
   
2. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 12:2
   I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
   Romans 16:7
   Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
   Galatians 1:22
   And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
   
3. Cross References
   John 3:3
   Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
   Romans 6:4
   We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
   
4. Cross References
   Isaiah 43:18 - 19
   Remember not the former things, nor consider th...
   Revelation 21:5
   And he who was seated on the throne said, "Beho...
   Isaiah 65:17
   For behold, I create new heavens and a new eart...
   Ephesians 2:15
   By abolishing the law of commandments expressed...
   Ephesians 4:24
   And to put on the new self, created after the l...
   Hebrews 8:13
   In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the fir...
   
5. Cross References
   Colossians 1:20
   And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
   Romans 5:10
   For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
   1 John 2:2
   He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
   
6. Cross References
   Romans 5:11
   More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
   
7. Cross References
   Psalms 32:2
   Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
   Romans 4:8
   Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.
   
8. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 5:18
   All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
   
9. Cross References
   Ephesians 6:20
   For which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
   Malachi 2:7
   For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
   Galatians 4:14
   And though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
   
10. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:1
    Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
    
11. Cross References
    Romans 8:3
    For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.
    Galatians 3:13
    Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree" -
    Romans 4:25
    Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
    
12. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:22
    He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
    
13. Cross References
    Romans 1:17
    For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.
    1 Corinthians 1:30
    And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.