What does "not counting men's trespasses against them" imply about God's forgiveness? Canonical Text “Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:19 Immediate Literary Context Verses 17–21 form a tight unit: new creation (v 17), reconciliation (vv 18–19), imputation (v 19), ambassadorial calling (v 20), and substitutionary atonement (v 21). Paul speaks as one entrusted with God’s own appeal; therefore, “not counting” is the cornerstone of his gospel proclamation. Old Testament Background 1. Psalm 32:1–2 : “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him.” Paul deliberately echoes this Davidic beatitude (cf. Romans 4:6–8). 2. Isaiah 43:25; 53:5–6—Yahweh promises to blot out sins for His own sake and lays iniquity upon the Suffering Servant. 3. Leviticus sacrificial typology—sins symbolically transferred to the substitute offering and removed (Leviticus 16). Theological Core: Divine Forgiveness Explained 1. Judicial Non-Imputation God cancels liability without compromising justice because Christ bore the full penalty (Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 2:24). The ledger is cleared not by ignoring debt but by transferring it (2 Corinthians 5:21). 2. Covenant Fulfilment “Not counting” fulfils the New Covenant promise: “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). 3. Universal Provision, Personal Application The phrase “the world” denotes humanity’s entirety; actual benefit is received through repentance and faith (John 3:16–18; Acts 17:30). Nature of Forgiveness • Complete—Past, present, future trespasses removed (Colossians 2:13–14). • Forensic—A courtroom declaration of righteousness (Romans 5:1). • Relational—Reconciled fellowship restored (Romans 5:10–11). • Transformative—Launches the believer into sanctification (Titus 2:11–14). Christological Ground Resurrection validates that the debt was paid (Romans 4:25). Early creed (1 Corinthians 15:3–7) attested within months of the event, preserved in P46 (ca. AD 175), corroborates historical certainty. Empty-tomb testimony (Matthew 28; John 20), martyrdom of witnesses, and the abrupt conversion of Paul collectively undergird the claim that God’s forgiveness is real and ratified in space-time history. Philosophical & Behavioral Implications • Moral Psychology: Empirical studies associate received forgiveness with reduced guilt, anxiety, and increased prosocial behavior—consistent with the “new creation” identity (2 Corinthians 5:17). • Existential Meaning: Only a transcendent moral Lawgiver can meaningfully “not count” objective trespass; secular frameworks lack a coherent mechanism for ultimate pardon. Practical Outworking 1. Personal Assurance—Believers rest in God’s finished accounting. 2. Evangelistic Mandate—“Message of reconciliation” compels proclamation (v 20). 3. Ethical Imperative—Forgive others as forgiven (Ephesians 4:32). Common Objections Addressed • “Divine forgiveness ignores justice.” Answer: Justice satisfied in Christ’s substitution. • “Why still confess sin?” Ongoing confession maintains fellowship, not justification (1 John 1:9). • “What of unrepentant humanity?” Those outside Christ retain their own ledger (John 3:36). Eschatological Horizon The final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15) will reveal two ledgers: those whose sins remain and those whose names are “written in the Lamb’s book of life.” God’s present act of “not counting” anticipates that ultimate vindication. Summary Definition “Not counting men’s trespasses against them” signifies God’s decisive, ongoing refusal to reckon sin to those who are united to Christ. It rests upon Christ’s atoning death and triumphant resurrection, satisfies divine justice, fulfils covenant promise, instills relational reconciliation, and commissions believers to extend this message worldwide—all grounded in the infallible written Word and confirmed by the empty tomb. |
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