The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:18 Explained

2 Corinthians 5:18

KJV: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

YLT: And the all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and did give to us the ministration of the reconciliation,

Darby: and all things are of the God who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and given to us the ministry of that reconciliation:

ASV: But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  all things  [are] of  God,  who  hath reconciled  us  to himself  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  hath given  to us  the ministry  of reconciliation; 

What does 2 Corinthians 5:18 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 5:11-19 - Constrained By The Love Of Christ
It was of small importance in Paul's eyes what his critics thought of him. He desired only to please his supreme Lord, whether he lived or died, was considered cold and staid or hot and impassioned. He was overmastered by his love of Christ. This may have been the sense of Christ's love to his unworthy self, or the emotion that burned in his soul toward Christ, or the very love of Christ received into his heart, as a tiny creek on the shore receives the pulse of the ocean tide.
The Apostle had arrived at the deliberate conclusion and judgment that the "all" who realized what Christ had done for them (and he among them) must live with as much devotion toward Him as others toward themselves. A new world had been opened by Christ's resurrection. All things had become new. Let us live in daily touch with that world of faith and glory, refusing to be judged by the old standards. It is clear that the reconciliation of the world is as complete as God can make it, but it is for us to urge men to fall in with and accept God's proposals. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 5

1  That in his assured hope of immortal glory,
9  and in expectation of it, he labors to keep a good conscience;
12  not that he may boast of himself,
14  but as one that, having received life from Christ,
17  endeavors to live as a new creature to Christ only,
18  and by his ministry of reconciliation, to reconcile others also in Christ to God

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 5:18

Who reconciled us to himself through Christ [του καταλλαχαντος ημας εαυτωι δια Χριστου]
Here Paul uses one of his great doctrinal words, καταλλασσω — katallassō old word for exchanging coins. Διαλλασσω — Diallassō to change one‘s mind, to reconcile, occurs in N.T. only in Matthew 5:24 though in papyri (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 187), and common in Attic. Καταλλασσω — Katallassō is old verb, but more frequent in later writers. We find συναλλασσω — sunallassō in Acts 7:26 and αποκαταλλασσω — apokatallassō in Colossians 1:20.; Ephesians 2:16 and the substantive καταλλαγη — katallagē in Romans 5:11; Romans 11:15 as well as here. It is hard to discuss this great theme without apparent contradiction. God‘s love (John 3:16) provided the means and basis for man‘s reconciliation to God against whom he had sinned. It is all God‘s plan because of his love, but God‘s own sense of justice had to be satisfied (Romans 3:26) and so God gave his Son as a propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:25; Colossians 1:20; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10). The point made by Paul here is that God needs no reconciliation, but is engaged in the great business of reconciling us to himself. This has to be done on God‘s terms and is made possible through (δια — dia) Christ. [source]
And gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation [και δοντος ημιν την διακονιαν της καταλλαγης]
It is a ministry marked by reconciliation, that consists in reconciliation. God has made possible through Christ our reconciliation to him, but in each case it has to be made effective by the attitude of each individual. The task of winning the unreconciled to God is committed to us. It is a high and holy one, but supremely difficult, because the offending party (the guilty) is the hardest to win over. We must be loyal to God and yet win sinful men to him. [source]
And [δὲ]
Better, Rev., but; as if anticipating a possible failure to discern the primary agency of God in this moral transformation. All things - all that are involved in this mighty change - are from God. [source]
Reconciled []
God is the prime-mover in the work of reconciliation. See on Romans 5:10, through Christ, as the medium. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 5:18

Romans 5:10 We were reconciled to God [καταλλάγημεν τῷ Θεῷ]
The verb means primarily to exchange; and hence to change the relation of hostile parties into a relation of peace; to reconcile. It is used of both mutual and one-sided enmity. In the former case, the context must show on which side is the active enmity. In the Christian sense, the change in the relation of God and man effected through Christ. This involves, 1. A movement of God toward man with a view to break down man's hostility, to commend God's love and holiness to him, and to convince him of the enormity and the consequence of sin. It is God who initiates this movement in the person and work of Jesus Christ. See Romans 5:6, Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 1:6; 1 John 4:19. Hence the passive form of the verb here: we were made subjects of God's reconciling 1John href="/desk/?q=1jo+1:3&sr=1">1 John 1:3, 1 John 1:7. Thus there is complete reconciliation. See, further, on Romans 3:25, Romans 3:26. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Romans 12:7 Ministering [διακονίᾳ]
Let us wait on is supplied. Lit., or ministry in our ministry. The word appears in the New Testament always in connection with the service of the Christian Church, except Luke 10:40, of Martha's serving; Hebrews 1:14, of the ministry of angels, and 2 Corinthians 3:7, of the ministry of Moses. Within this limit it is used, 1. Of service in general, including all forms of christian ministration tending to the good of the christian body (1 Corinthians 12:5; Ephesians 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:11). Hence, 2. Of the apostolic office and its administration; (a) generally (Acts 20:24; 2 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Timothy 1:12); or (b) defined as a ministry of reconciliation, of the word, of the Spirit, of righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:18; Acts 6:4; 2 Corinthians 3:8, 2 Corinthians 3:9). It is not used of the specific office of a deacon; but the kindred word διάκονος occurs in that sense (Philemon 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8, 1 Timothy 3:12). As the word is employed in connection with both the higher and lower ministrations in the Church (see Acts 6:1, Acts 6:4), it is difficult to fix its precise meaning here; yet as it is distinguished here from prophecy, exhortation, and teaching, it may refer to some more practical, and, possibly, minor form of ministry. Moule says: “Almost any work other than that of inspired utterance or miracle-working may be included in it here.” So Godet: “An activity of a practical nature exerted in action, not in word.” Some limit it to the office of deacon. [source]
Romans 5:10 We were reconciled to God [κατηλλαγημεν τωι τεωι]
Second aorist passive indicative of καταλλασσω — katallassō for which great Pauline word see note on 2 Corinthians 5:18. The condition is the first class. Paul does not conceive it as his or our task to reconcile God to us. God has attended to that himself (Romans 3:25.). We become reconciled to God by means of the death of God‘s Son. “Much more” again we shall be saved “by his life” “In his life,” for he does live, “ever living to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). [source]
1 Corinthians 7:11 Or else be reconciled to her husband [η τωι ανδρι καταλλαγητω]
Second aorist (ingressive) passive imperative of καταλλασσω — katallassō old compound verb to exchange coins as of equal value, to reconcile. One of Paul‘s great words for reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Romans 5:10). Διαλλασσω — Diallassō (Matthew 5:24 which see) was more common in the older Greek, but καταλλασσω — katallassō in the later. The difference in idea is very slight, δια — diȧ accents notion of exchange, κατ — kaṫ the perfective idea (complete reconciliation). Dative of personal interest is the case of ανδρι — andri This sentence is a parenthesis between the two infinitives χωριστηναι — chōristhēnai and απιεναι — aphienai (both indirect commands after παραγγελλω — paraggellō). And that the husband leave not his wife (και ανδρα μη απιεναι — kai andra mē aphienai). This is also part of the Lord‘s command (Mark 10:11). Απολυω — Apoluō occurs in Mark of the husband‘s act and απιεναι — aphienai here, both meaning to send away. Bengel actually stresses the difference between χωριστηναι — chōristhēnai of the woman as like separatur in Latin and calls the wife “pars ignobilior” and the husband “nobilior.” I doubt if Paul would stand for that extreme. [source]
2 Corinthians 5:19 God []
Emphatic. It was God, as in 2 Corinthians 5:18. [source]
Colossians 1:20 Through him [δι αυτου]
As the sufficient and chosen agent in the work of reconciliation This double compound (απο κατα — apoαλλασσω — kata with καταλλασσω — allassō) occurs only here, Colossians 1:22; Ephesians 2:16, and nowhere else so far as known. Paul‘s usual word for “reconcile” is διαλλασσω — katallassō (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Romans 5:10), though απο — diallassō (Matthew 5:24) is more common in Attic. The addition of καταλλασσω — apo here is clearly for the idea of complete reconciliation. See note on 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 for discussion of τα παντα — katallassō Paul‘s great word. The use of εις αυτον — ta panta (the all things, the universe) as if the universe were somehow out of harmony reminds us of the mystical passage in Romans 8:19-23 which see for discussion. Sin somehow has put the universe out of joint. Christ will set it right. [source]
1 Timothy 2:4 That all men should be saved [παντας αντρωπους σωτηναι]
First aorist passive infinitive of σωζω — sōzō with accusative of general reference. See note on 1 Corinthians 10:33; 2 Corinthians 5:18. To the knowledge (εις επιγνωσιν — eis epignōsin). “The full knowledge” as in Colossians 1:6; Ephesians 4:13 (ten times in Paul). See note on 2 Timothy 3:7 for the whole phrase “full knowledge of the truth” (αλητεια — alētheia 14 times in the Pastorals). Paul is anxious as in Colossians and Ephesians that the Gnostics may not lead the people astray. They need the full intellectual apprehension of Christianity. [source]
1 John 2:2 The propitiation [ἱλασμός]
Only here and 1 John 4:10. From ἱλάσκομαι toappease, to conciliate to one's self, which occurs Luke 18:13; Hebrews 2:17. The noun means originally an appeasing or propitiating, and passes, through Alexandrine usage, into the sense of the means of appeasing, as here. The construction is to be particularly noted; for, in the matter of ( περί ) our sins; the genitive case of that for which propitiation is made. In Hebrews 2:17, the accusative case, also of the sins to be propitiated. In classical usage, on the other hand, the habitual construction is the accusative (direct objective case), of the person propitiated. So in Homer, of the gods. Θεὸν ἱλάσκεσθαι is to make a God propitious to one. See “Iliad,” i., 386,472. Of men whom one wishes to conciliate by divine honors after death. So Herodotus, of Philip of Crotona. “His beauty gained him honors at the hands of the Egestaeans which they never accorded to any one else; for they raised a hero-temple over his grave, and they still propitiate him ( αὐτὸν ἱλάσκονται ) with sacrifices” (v., 47). Again, “The Parians, having propitiated Themistocles ( Θεμιστοκλέα ἱλασάμενοι ) with gifts, escaped the visits of the army” (viii., 112). The change from this construction shows, to quote Canon Westcott, “that the scriptural conception of the verb is not that of appeasing one who is angry, with a personal feeling, against the offender; but of altering the character of that which, from without, occasions a necessary alienation, and interposes an inevitable obstacle to fellowship. Such phrases as 'propitiating God,' and God 'being reconciled' are foreign to the language of the New Testament. Man is reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18sqq.; Romans 5:10sq.). There is a propitiation in the matter of the sin or of the sinner.” [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 5:18 mean?

- And all things [are] of - God the [One] having reconciled us to Himself through Christ and having given to us the ministry - of reconciliation
Τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ καταλλάξαντος ἡμᾶς ἑαυτῷ διὰ Χριστοῦ καὶ δόντος ἡμῖν τὴν διακονίαν τῆς καταλλαγῆς

Τὰ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πάντα  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ἐκ  [are]  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τοῦ  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
καταλλάξαντος  having  reconciled 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: καταλλάσσω  
Sense: to change, exchange, as coins for others of equivalent value.
ἡμᾶς  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἑαυτῷ  to  Himself 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
διὰ  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
Χριστοῦ  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
δόντος  having  given 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
ἡμῖν  to  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
διακονίαν  ministry 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: διακονία 
Sense: service, ministering, esp.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
καταλλαγῆς  of  reconciliation 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: καταλλαγή  
Sense: exchange.