King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 5:17 Mean?

2 Corinthians 5:17 in the King James Version says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ...” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

2 Corinthians 5:17 · KJV

Context

15

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17

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

18

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. committed: Gr. put in us

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What evidence of "new creation" exists in your life—what old patterns have genuinely passed away since coming to Christ?
  2. Do you still feel like the "old you" with minor improvements, or have you experienced qualitative transformation into someone fundamentally new?
  3. How can you live more fully into your identity as new creation, not letting old patterns define you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
ὥστε1 of 15

“Therefore”

G5620

so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)

εἴ2 of 15
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

τις3 of 15
G5100

some or any person or object

ἐν4 of 15

“be in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Χριστῷ5 of 15

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

καινά·6 of 15

“he is a new”

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

κτίσις·7 of 15

“creature”

G2937

original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively)

τὰ8 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχαῖα9 of 15

“old things”

G744

original or primeval

παρῆλθεν10 of 15

“are passed away”

G3928

to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert

ἰδού,11 of 15

“behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

γέγονεν12 of 15

“are become”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

καινά·13 of 15

“he is a new”

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

τὰ14 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πάντα15 of 15

“all things”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 5:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 5:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 36:26Ephesians 4:22-24Isaiah 43:18-19John 3:3Psalms 51:10Ezekiel 11:19

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