2 Corinthians 5:16-21

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Chapter VIII, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
  • V.2, V.12, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • II.VI.7, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • V.II, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • I.6, II.21, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • I.LXIX, IV.XV, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • XI.17, XIV.7, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "As a thing made new by God, for though a man is not newly created when God gives him the spirit of regeneration, but only his qualities are changed, yet nonetheless it pleased the Holy Spirit to speak so, to teach us that we must attribute all things to the glory of God. Not that we are as rocks or stones, but because God creates in us both the will to will well, and the power to do well."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company."
  • On Regeneration (2 Cor 5:17): sermon by George Whitefield.
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "He has new life, new senses, new faculties, new affections, new appetites, new ideas and conceptions. His whole tenor of action and conversation is new, and he lives, as it were, in a new world. God, men, the whole creation, heaven, earth, and all therein, appear in a new light, and stand related to him in a new manner, since he was created anew in Christ Jesus."
  • On Knowing Christ After the Flesh (2 Cor 5:16), On Sin In Believers (2 Cor 5:17). Sermons by John Wesley.
  • "The Believer, A New Creature: 2 Corinthians 5:17," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1869.
    • "If salvation be entirely a creation of God, if God alone can work it, what hope this ought to give the most forlorn sinner!"
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "Two distinct Greek verbs are used here for "know"; the first ("know we no man") means "to be personally acquainted with"; the latter ("known Christ . . . know . . . more") is to recognize, or estimate. Paul's estimate of Christ, or the expected Messiah, was carnal, but is so now no more."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "The old life ended when we died and were buried. Born anew, we are new creatures who must live a new life."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Holly Hearon, at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2010.
    • "As I read through this passage, I am struck by how many of the verses have been pulled out of context for use as catchy 'one liners'..."
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Lent 4, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Paul moves God into centre stage - not always easy to do when ministries and egos are involved."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Interfaith Dialogue and Service," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2007.
  • "Reconciliation," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
    • "What are the consequences of reconciliation?"
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "There is an impetus to reconciliation that, once experienced, brings a desire for more."
  • "All Things New," Expository Essay, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Dr. William R. Long.
    • "We do not live the Gospel for ourselves alone."
  • "Drawn Together," Darrell Jodock, The Christian Century, 1995.
    • "Central to these passages is reconciliation, the resumption of a healthy relationship."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Incorporated Righteousness: A Response to Recent Evangelical Discussion Concerning the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness in Justification," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2004.
  • "Vision and Imagination in the Atonement Doctrine," Leanne Van Dyk, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, San Francisco Theological Seminary. Theology Today 1993.
    • "Although very different in literary form and intent, the works of both Girard and Paton illuminate the deepest human longings and needs. The doctrine of the atonement seeks to address these longings and needs by articulating for each new age the confession that in Christ, God is reconciling the world to God's self."
  • "The Identity and Purpose of the Church," Paul D. Hanson, Theology Today, 1985.
    • "The church's purpose is not its own. The church is present in the world on behalf of the God by whose grace it has been called into existence."
  • "Mission among Muslims: Reconciled Ambassadors," Herbert Zorn, Word & World Texts in Context, 1996.
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  • Anderson, Gerald H., "Christian Mission and Human Transformation: Toward Century 21," Mission Studies, 1985.
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  • Bird, Michael F., "Incorporated Righteousness: A Response to Recent Evangelical Discussion Concerning the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness in Justification," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2004.
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  • Boers, Hendrikus, "2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2: A Fragment of Pauline Christology," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2002.
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  • Carr, William W., Jr., "Homiletical Helps on LW Series B - Epistles," Concordia Journal, 2006. (Section on this text begins on p. 230.)
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  • Charry, Ellen T., "Virtual Salvation," Theology Today, 2004.
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  • Cousar, Charles B., "Paul and the Death of Jesus," Interpretation, 1998.
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  • Fredrickson, David, "Pentecost: Paul the Pastor in 2 Corinthians," Word & World, 1991.
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  • Gloer, W. Hulitt, "2 Corinthians 5:14-21," Review & Expositor, 1989.
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  • Gloer, W. Hulitt, "Ambassadors of Reconciliation: Paul's Genius in Applying the Gospel in a Multi-Cultural World: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21," Review & Expositor, 2007. (Issue focus on "reconciliation.")
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  • Grieb, A. Katherine, "So That In Him We Might Become the Righteousness of God': Some Theological Reflections on the Church Becoming Justice," Ex Auditu, 2006.
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    • Byassee, Jason, "Response to Grieb," Ex Auditu, 2006.
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  • Hamerton-Kelly, Robert G., "A Girardian Interpretation of Paul: Rivalry, Mimesis and Victimage in the Corinthian Correspondence," Semeia, 1985.
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  • Hanson, Paul D., "The Identity and Purpose of the Church," Theology Today, 1985.
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  • Harrelson, Walter, "How to Interpret the Old Testament: The Central Issue between Christians and Jews," Review & Expositor, 2006.
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  • Hollon, D. Leslie, "Reconciliation: Pastoral Reflections and Resources," Review & Expositor, 2007. (Issue focus on "reconciliation.")
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  • Jodock, Darrell, "Drawn Together," The Christian Century, 1995.
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  • Miller, Glenn T., "Between Text & Sermon: 2 Corinthians 5:11 - 6:13," Interpretation, 2000.
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  • Okure, Teresa, "'The Ministry of Reconciliation' (2 Corinthians 5:14-21): Paul's Key to the Problem of 'The Other' in Corinth," Mission Studies, 2006.
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  • Pobee, John S., "Human Transformation: A Biblical View," Mission Studies, 1985.
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  • Polhill, John B., "Reconciliation at Corinth: 2 Corinthians 4-7," Review & Expositor, 1989.
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  • Turner, David L., "Paul and the Ministry of Reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2," Criswell Theological Review, 1989.
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  • Zorn, Herbert, "Mission among Muslims: A Sermon Series," Word & World, 1996. (See "Reconciled Ambassadors," page 243.)
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• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "From Conversion to Mission," Fr. Patrick Brennan, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1992.
  • "Ambassadors for Jesus Christ," Pastor Edward F. Marquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
• With Children:
  • "Born Again - A New Creation," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "In Christ, We Are a New Creation," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
  • Butterfly Maze, Butterfly Dot-to-Dot, Butterfly Craft, Butterfly Wordsearch, sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
  • "Worthy Is the Lamb," Heather Cooper, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 20, 21. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Love Divine
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of 2 Corinthians