Bible Verse

2 Corinthians 5:17

Paul writes to the Corinthian church explaining the transformative power of the gospel and the ministry of reconciliation.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

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Other Translations

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

— ESV

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

— KJV

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

— NLT

Understanding the Context

Book Context

2 Corinthians 5 discusses living by faith, Christ's love, and the new covenant. This verse is the climax of Paul's teaching on transformation in Christ.

Historical Background

Written around 55-56 AD to address challenges to Paul's apostolic authority and to encourage the Corinthians in their faith journey.

Verse-by-Verse Breakdown

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ"

'In Christ' is Paul's favorite phrase describing our union with Jesus through faith. It's positional—we're placed into Christ, united with Him. 'Anyone' is universal—this applies to all believers, regardless of background.

"the new creation has come"

'New creation' (Greek: kaine ktisis) means brand new, qualitatively different, not reformed but re-created. This echoes Genesis—God creates anew. It's not self-improvement but divine recreation. We become something we weren't before.

"The old has gone"

'Old' refers to our former identity, sin nature's dominance, old way of life. 'Gone' (parerchomai) means passed away, no longer exists. Past tense—it's done, finished. The old self is dead with Christ (Romans 6:6).

"the new is here"

'New' (kainos) emphasizes freshness and quality. 'Is here' is present tense—the new life has already begun, not just future. We currently possess new identity, nature, and life in Christ.

Key Themes

New creation in ChristTransformationIdentity in ChristOld life passed awayNew life begun

Applying This Verse to Your Life

  1. 1

    Live from your new identity in Christ, not from your old patterns and failures.

  2. 2

    Stop defining yourself by your past—you are a new creation.

  3. 3

    Embrace the new life Christ has given rather than clinging to old ways.

  4. 4

    Share the gospel as an invitation to become a new creation, not just behavior modification.

  5. 5

    Thank God regularly for making you new, not just forgiving the old.

Questions for Reflection

  • Do you live from your identity as a new creation, or are you stuck in old patterns?
  • What old things do you need to let go of that God says are gone?
  • How has being 'in Christ' transformed who you are?
  • Are you experiencing the newness of life Christ offers?

Related Scripture

Galatians 6:15

"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation."

Ephesians 4:22-24

"You were taught... to put off your old self... and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Romans 6:4

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... we too may live a new life."

Ezekiel 36:26

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone."

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