To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19KJV
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2 Corinthians 5:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 5:19 mean?

2 Corinthians 5:19 says that God was working through Christ to bring the world back into a right relationship with Himself, choosing not to count people’s wrongdoings against them, and giving Paul and his companions the responsibility to share this message of reconciliation. The verse highlights God’s initiative in repairing the broken relationship between Himself and humanity.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, explaining the heart of his ministry and the message he carries. The verse sits in a section where Paul describes the new perspective and purpose believers have because of Christ. Here, Paul emphasizes that the message he and others share is not about condemnation, but about God’s active work to restore and forgive, making peace possible.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 5:19

  • "Reconciling" (καταλλάσσων, katallassōn) means to change from enmity to friendship, or to restore a relationship. In this verse, it points to God’s action in overcoming the separation caused by sin.
  • "Not imputing" (μὴ λογιζόμενος, mē logizomenos) means not counting or charging someone with something. Here, it stresses that God is not holding people’s trespasses (παραπτώματα, paraptōmata) against them, which highlights forgiveness.
  • "Word of reconciliation" (λόγον τῆς καταλλαγῆς, logon tēs katallagēs) refers to the message or announcement about this restored relationship. Paul says this message has been entrusted to him and his fellow workers, making them messengers of God’s peace.

Why 2 Corinthians 5:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that reconciliation is God’s work, not something humans achieve on their own; God takes the first step through Christ.
  • It shifts the focus from judgment to forgiveness, showing that God’s main concern is not to tally up wrongs but to offer a way back to Himself.
  • The verse explains why Paul’s ministry is centered on reconciliation, connecting it to the broader theme of new life and purpose for believers in Christ.

Where else these words appear

“reconciliation” Greek G2643 · used in 4 verses

  • Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
  • Romans 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
  • 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

“reconciling” Greek G2644 · used in 5 verses

  • Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

“trespasses” Greek G3900 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
  • Romans 11:12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

“imputing” Greek G3049 · used in 40 verses

  • Mark 11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
  • Romans 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;