2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore i.e. as a conclusion from 2 Corinthians 5:15, in consequence of Christ's Death, His Life, His superhuman, Divine personality.

if any man be in Christ The Vulgate puts no stop at Christ, and renders -if there be any new creature in Christ" (-if ony newe creature is in Crist," Wiclif). Tyndale translates as above. For -in Christ," see Romans 16:7; Galatians 1:22; and chap. 2 Corinthians 12:2.

he is a new creature These words may be rendered there is a new creation, i.e. a new creation takes place within him. Whosoever is united to Christ by faith, possesses in himself the gift of a Divine, regenerated, spiritual humanity which Christ gives through his Spirit (cf. John 5:21; John 6:33; John 6:39-40; John 6:54; John 6:57; 1Co 15:45; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; and 2 Peter 1:4. Also chap. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 5:5). This life, which he possessed not before, is in fact a new creation of the whole man, "not to be distinguished from regeneration." Meyer. So also Chrysostom. Cf. John 1:13; John 3:3; John 3:5; Titus 3:5. The margin of the A. V. renders let him be, which is grammatically admissible, but hardly suits the context.

old things Literally, the old things. Cf. the -old man," Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9; the -former conversation" or manner of living, before the soul was dominated by the Spirit of Christ.

are past away Literally, passed away, i.e. at the moment of conversion. But as the Dean of Peterborough has shewn in the Expositor, Vol. vii. pp. 261 263, this strict use of the aorist cannot be always pressed in Hebraistic Greek.

behold, all things are become new Many MSS., versions and recent editors omit -all things." The passage then stands -behold, they are become new." If we accept this reading, the passage speaks more clearly of a conversion of the whole man as he is, thoughts, habits, feelings, desires, into the image of Christ. The old is not obliterated, it is renovated. As it stands in the A.V. it relates rather to a substitutionof a new nature for the old. Isaiah 43:18-19; Revelation 21:5.