2 Corinthians 5 (KJV)

Read 2 Corinthians chapter 5 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

2 Corinthians 5

Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

2 Corinthians 5:7

"For we walk by faith, not by sight.…"

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old…"

2 Corinthians 5:21

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that…"

Popular Verses in 2 Corinthians 5

Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Salvation & Gospel

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

Salvation & Gospel

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

Faith

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2 Corinthians 5 Summary

Second Corinthians 5 contains some of Paul's most profound teaching on the believer's future hope and present mission. Paul compares the earthly body to a tent — temporary — and the resurrection body to 'a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' Believers groan in this tent, longing to be 'clothed upon' with immortality.

Paul's driving motivation is clear: 'We walk by faith, not by sight' and 'to be absent from the body' is 'to be present with the Lord.' He then presents the ministry of reconciliation: 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.' Believers are 'ambassadors for Christ' delivering God's appeal: 'Be ye reconciled to God.' The chapter climaxes with the Great Exchange: 'He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.'

Key Themes

Eternal HopeWalk by FaithMinistry of ReconciliationThe Great Exchange

Key Verses in 2 Corinthians 5

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

— 2 Corinthians 5:7

The Christian's operating principle — decisions are guided by God's promises, not visible circumstances.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

— 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Bible's definitive statement on transformation — in Christ, you are fundamentally new.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

— 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Great Exchange — Christ takes our sin; we receive His righteousness. The essence of the gospel.

Life Application

You are a new creation in Christ — old things have passed away. Stop living from your old identity. And you are an ambassador — not representing yourself but reconciling others to God. The Great Exchange means you carry Christ's righteousness, not your own. Live from that astonishing reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Great Exchange in 2 Corinthians 5:21?

Jesus, who had no sin, was treated as if He bore all human sin. In return, believers are treated as if they possess all of Christ's righteousness. This 'imputation' — crediting one person's account to another — is the heart of the gospel: Jesus gets our sin; we get His righteousness.

What does 'absent from the body, present with the Lord' mean?

Paul teaches that when believers die physically, they are immediately in the Lord's presence — there is no soul sleep or intermediate unconscious state. Death for the Christian is a transition from the 'tent' of the earthly body to being 'at home' with Christ.

Read the full summary of 2 Corinthians