How does 2 Corinthians 5:21 illustrate the concept of substitutionary atonement? The Verse at a Glance “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) What Substitutionary Atonement Means • One party takes the place of another. • Guilt and penalty move from the sinner to the substitute. • Righteous standing moves from the substitute to the sinner. • Justice is satisfied, mercy is displayed. Key Words in the Verse • “knew no sin” – absolute sinlessness (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). • “to be sin” – treated as sin-bearer, taking our liability (Isaiah 53:6). • “for us” – on our behalf, in our place (Galatians 3:13). • “righteousness of God” – God’s own righteousness credited to us (Romans 3:21-22). Old Testament Foundations • Passover lamb: spotless, slain instead of the firstborn (Exodus 12:5-13). • Day of Atonement: scapegoat bears Israel’s sins into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:20-22). • Isaiah 53:4-6: “He was pierced for our transgressions… the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Christ as the Perfect Substitute • Sinlessness qualified Him—no blemish to atone for Himself (1 John 3:5). • Voluntary obedience—“I lay down My life… no one takes it from Me” (John 10:17-18). • Once-for-all offering—“Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). The Great Exchange Described 1. Our sin imputed to Christ. – He bore the curse (Galatians 3:13). 2. His righteousness imputed to us. – “Christ Jesus, who became for us… righteousness” (1 Corinthians 1:30). 3. Result: justified, reconciled, adopted. Legal and Relational Dimensions • Legal: satisfies divine justice—“God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice… to demonstrate His righteousness” (Romans 3:25-26). • Relational: removes enmity—“we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10). Practical Implications • Assurance—standing before God rests on Christ, not our performance. • Gratitude—love generated by being fully forgiven (Luke 7:47). • Holiness—clothed in righteousness, we pursue righteous living (Ephesians 2:10). • Mission—message of reconciliation entrusted to us (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). One Sentence Summary 2 Corinthians 5:21 paints the heart of the gospel: the sinless Christ became sin in our place so that we, the sinners, might become righteous in His. |
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