2 Corinthians 5:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
To wit
G5613
ὡς
To wit
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 23
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
2 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
κόσμον
the world
G2889
κόσμον
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
7 of 23
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
καταλλάσσων
reconciling
G2644
καταλλάσσων
reconciling
Strong's:
G2644
Word #:
8 of 23
to change mutually, i.e., (figuratively) to compound a difference
ἑαυτῷ
unto himself
G1438
ἑαυτῷ
unto himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
9 of 23
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
10 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
λογιζόμενος
imputing
G3049
λογιζόμενος
imputing
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
11 of 23
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραπτώματα
trespasses
G3900
παραπτώματα
trespasses
Strong's:
G3900
Word #:
14 of 23
a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θέμενος
hath committed
G5087
θέμενος
hath committed
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
17 of 23
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
21 of 23
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
Cross References
Isaiah 43:25I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.Isaiah 44:22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.1 John 4:10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.Colossians 2:9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.John 17:23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.Matthew 1:23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.John 14:20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Historical Context
The concept of not imputing trespasses was revolutionary in honor-shame cultures that demanded vengeance for wrongs. Paul announces cosmic amnesty—God absorbs offense rather than extracting payment from offenders. This reflected God's character revealed in Christ: enemy-love, substitutionary suffering, grace that justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5).
Questions for Reflection
- Do you live with confidence that God is NOT counting your sins against you—or do you still fear His ledger of your failures?
- How faithfully are you discharging the "word of reconciliation" entrusted to you—who needs to hear God is not counting their sins?
- Does God's non-imputation of trespasses lead you to moral laxity or inflamed love and gratitude?
Analysis & Commentary
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself—Hōs hoti Theos ēn en Christō kosmon katallassōn heautō (ὡς ὅτι θεὸς ἦν ἐν Χριστῷ κόσμον καταλλάσσων ἑαυτῷ). Hōs hoti (ὡς ὅτι, "namely that, to wit") introduces content of reconciliation message. Theos ēn en Christō (θεὸς ἦν ἐν Χριστῷ, "God was in Christ")—the incarnation's mystery: God reconciling through God-in-human-flesh. Kosmon (κόσμον, "world") is cosmic scope—not just Jews but all humanity. Present participle katallassōn (καταλλάσσων) suggests ongoing process—reconciliation accomplished in Christ's death, applied through gospel proclamation.
Not imputing their trespasses unto them—Mē logizomenos autois ta paraptōmata autōn (μὴ λογιζόμενος αὐτοῖς τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν). Logizomai (λογίζομαι) is accounting term—"to reckon, credit, charge." God does NOT charge sins to humanity's account. Paraptōmata (παραπτώματα, "trespasses, transgressions") are willful violations. This is forensic justification—sins credited to Christ (v. 21), righteousness credited to believers (Romans 4:3-8). And hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation—kai themenos en hēmin ton logon tēs katallagēs (καὶ θέμενος ἐν ἡμῖν τὸν λόγον τῆς καταλλαγῆς). Themenos (θέμενος, aorist participle of τίθημι, "placed, entrusted") indicates sacred deposit—gospel message entrusted to believers for proclamation.