Reflections on 2nd Corinthians 5: 17 -19

The Basics

First off,  where is Corinth?   Corinth is in Greece.  About half way between Sparta and Athens.   Corinth is on the strip of land that joins the main southern land mass (peninsula) with the main land of Greece.

The 2nd epistle to the church at Corinth was written by Paul (Saul) and Timothy.  We have two letters Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth.  But there is evidence in the letters that he wrote at least 4.   The severe letter, warning of sexual immorality.  We do not know what this says, but knowing Paul it probably calls for avoiding sex out of wed lock, and avoiding sexual practices that were considered immoral in the time.  Paul, was convinced Christ was coming back soon and you should be focused solely on that fact.    Also there is to my understanding some evidence that churches were using sex and seduction as part of their community practices and possibly recruiting practices.   First Corinthians, we have.   The letter of tears, is missing.  Some scholars think it is the same as the severe letter.  And we have 2nd Corinthians.

Paul visited the Church in Corinth at least twice.  But probably three times.    He wrote this letter from Ephesus.  Much of this letter is Paul defending himself after his first, sever visit. Many challenged his authority and apostleship and did not accept his points of view.  In his defense we gain a lot of hope.

verse 17 :  So then, if anyone is in Christ that person is part of the new creation.  The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived.

This is consistent with what I believe.   When I say,  "there is nothing to forgive" once a person comes to the Lord, or comes back to the Lord.   There is nothing to forgive.   An example  if someone is making terrible unhealthy choices, choices that are informed by a lack of emotional health.   Not mental illness, but just bad choices informed by fears, or informed by anxiety.  When they get healthy again, and start making good choices, there is nothing to forgive.  They were not themselves. Similarly, when someone comes to Christ, or returns to Christ, and they want forgiveness.  There is nothing to forgive.  They are a new creation.

verse 18:  All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 

Judgement of righteousness is God's alone.  It is not our place to judge others who are reconciled to God.  They are also new creations.  Not perfect creations.  New creations.  Who are we to judge if someone is now reconciled?

verse 19:  In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, not by counting peoples sins against them.  He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.

Furthering Paul's argument that reconciliation is God's doing.  And that we as believers are to accept those who claim reconciliation as their own.

I have loads of hope in this passage.  Hope for a reconciliation with the love of my life.   Hope that she will return to the Lord and that we can become what we were supposed to be husband and wife.   But I also know these things require human decision making.  And human flaws can get in the way of God's plans.  Even when they are obvious.