Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians 5:21, Sin and Righteousness

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The sinless one has been made sin, so that believers might become the righteousness of God, not just positionally but conditionally as well. In this verse Paul has produced a theology of atonement and justification. God the Father made Jesus to be treated like sin even though he had no sin. God did this for our sake. In essence, we traded our sinful nature for Christ’ righteous nature. We are credited with his righteousness while he takes the punishment for our sins. This verse sets up the need for personal holiness that Paul will take up in chapter 6, our reading for next week.

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross for our sins in great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection.