What Does 2 Corinthians 5:21 Mean?

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin—Ton mē gnonta hamartian hyper hēmōn hamartian epoiēsen (τὸν μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησεν). This verse is theology's summit—the great exchange. Ton mē gnonta hamartian (τὸν μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν, "the one not knowing sin") describes Christ's absolute sinlessness. Ginōskō (γινώσκω, "to know by experience") indicates Christ never experienced sin internally or externally—morally perfect (Hebrews 4:15, 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22). Hamartian epoiēsen (ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησεν, "He made sin")—God the Father made the sinless Son "sin." Not "a sinner" but "sin" itself—sin's embodiment, sin's full penalty, sin's curse (Galatians 3:13).

Hyper hēmōn (ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, "for us, on our behalf") is substitutionary atonement's heart. Christ took our place under wrath, bearing sin's full judgment. Isaiah 53:6, "The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." The crucifixion's horror—darkness, divine abandonment ("My God, why have you forsaken me?")—resulted from Christ bearing infinite sin's weight. This is penal substitution: Christ punished in our place, satisfying divine justice.

That we might be made the righteousness of God in him—Hina hēmeis genōmetha dikaiosynē Theou en autō (ἵνα ἡμεῖς γενώμεθα δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ). Purpose clause (hina, ἵνα, "in order that") reveals exchange's goal. Genōmetha (γενώμεθα, aorist subjunctive, "we might become") indicates transformation. Dikaiosynē Theou (δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ, "righteousness of God")—not merely righteous status but God's own righteousness imputed/imparted. En autō (ἐν αὐτῷ, "in Him")—union with Christ is mechanism: His righteousness becomes ours, our sin became His. This is double imputation: our sin to Christ, His righteousness to us. Luther called it "the great exchange" (fröhliche Wechsel)—Christ takes our rags; we receive His robes. This grounds justification by faith alone (Romans 3:21-26)—we stand before God clothed in Christ's perfect righteousness, not our own filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). This is substitutionary atonement's glory: God's justice satisfied, God's love demonstrated, sinners reconciled.