2 Corinthians 5:18

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
δὲ
G1161
And
but, and, etc
#3
πάντα
G3956
all things
all, any, every, the whole
#4
ἐκ
G1537
are of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#5
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
θεοῦ
G2316
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#7
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
καταλλάξαντος
G2644
hath reconciled
to change mutually, i.e., (figuratively) to compound a difference
#9
ἡμᾶς
G2248
us
us
#10
ἑαυτῷ
G1438
to himself
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#11
διὰ
G1223
by
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#12
Ἰησοῦ
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#13
Χριστοῦ
G5547
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#14
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
δόντος
G1325
hath given
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#16
ἡμῖν
G2254
to us
to (or for, with, by) us
#17
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
διακονίαν
G1248
the ministry
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the christian teacher, or technically of the diaco
#19
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
καταλλαγῆς
G2643
of reconciliation
exchange (figuratively, adjustment), i.e., restoration to (the divine) favor

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Corinthians Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection