2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Original Language Analysis
ὥστε
Therefore
G5620
ὥστε
Therefore
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
1 of 15
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
καινά·
he is a new
G2537
καινά·
he is a new
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
6 of 15
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
κτίσις·
creature
G2937
κτίσις·
creature
Strong's:
G2937
Word #:
7 of 15
original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρῆλθεν
are passed away
G3928
παρῆλθεν
are passed away
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
10 of 15
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
γέγονεν
are become
G1096
γέγονεν
are become
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
12 of 15
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καινά·
he is a new
G2537
καινά·
he is a new
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
13 of 15
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
Cross References
Ezekiel 36:26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.John 3:3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.Psalms 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.Ezekiel 11:19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:Galatians 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.1 Corinthians 1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:Ezekiel 18:31Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?John 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Historical Context
Jewish eschatology expected God to create new heavens and new earth (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22). Paul radically democratizes this: every believer in Christ experiences new creation NOW, not just at history's end. This inaugurated eschatology—already tasting the age to come while awaiting its consummation—distinguishes Christian theology.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence of "new creation" exists in your life—what old patterns have genuinely passed away since coming to Christ?
- Do you still feel like the "old you" with minor improvements, or have you experienced qualitative transformation into someone fundamentally new?
- How can you live more fully into your identity as new creation, not letting old patterns define you?
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature—Hōste ei tis en Christō, kainē ktisis (ὥστε εἴ τις ἐν Χριστῷ, καινὴ κτίσις). En Christō (ἐν Χριστῷ, "in Christ") is Paul's signature phrase (164x in epistles)—union with Christ through faith. Kainē ktisis (καινὴ κτίσις, "new creation") uses kainos (καινός, "new in quality") not neos (νέος, "new in time")—qualitatively different, not merely recent. Ktisis (κτίσις) means "creation, creature"—either "new creation" (cosmic renewal) or "new creature" (individual transformation). Context supports both: individual believers experience new creation that anticipates cosmic renewal (Romans 8:18-25).
Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new—Ta archaia parēlthen, idou gegonen kaina ta panta (τὰ ἀρχαῖα παρῆλθεν, ἰδοὺ γέγονεν καινὰ τὰ πάντα). Parēlthen (παρῆλθεν, aorist, "passed away") is decisive—old order gone. Idou (ἰδού, "behold!") commands attention to marvel. Gegonen (γέγονεν, perfect tense of γίνομαι, "has become and remains") indicates completed action with ongoing state. Kaina ta panta (καινὰ τὰ πάντα, "all things new")—comprehensive transformation. This echoes Revelation 21:5, "Behold, I make all things new." Union with Christ brings eschatological newness into present experience—already/not yet tension.