2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.'" (New American Standard Bible)
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Context
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When Scripture is studied, you have to understand the background, the people, the culture, and why it is being addressed specifically in this detail. The first thing we notice is that 2 Corinthians 5 is Paul's letter defending his apostolic ministry that was set by him. The Corinthian believers began questioning God's teachings. So Paul had to urge them to live as new people because they were reconciled by God through Jesus Christ. Paul contrasts the old, the outward way of life with the new, and the spiritual reality that comes through Christ as new believers.
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When we read verse 17, Paul tells us that 'Christ died for all' (verse 14). Paul says, 'therefore, those who live should no longer live for themselves' (verse 15). He continues in saying, 'believers no longer regard anyone from a purely human point of view' (verse 16). When we get to verse 17, we see Paul give a conclusion that when we are in Christ, Christ radically changes everything!
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Key Phrases
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The phrase 'therefore, if anyone is in Christ', is explained this way. The word 'anyone' makes this universal. It means that anyone aligning in Christ, this applies to you the believer. It is also showing that no one is excluded from the offer of Jesus. The phrase 'in Christ', is the central theme which is that when we believe in Jesus, we are united in Jesus by faith. Even further, it is showing that we have a spiritual union with Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5) and indicates our new identity being in Christ and no longer 'in Adam', meaning the old humanity we once had (Romans 5:12-21), but because we are 'in Christ', we have a new humanity in Him.
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The phrase 'the new creation has come', comes from the Greek word "kainos" (καá¿–νος), which is referring to the individual believer who has been made spiritually new. The beginning of God's cosmic renewal (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1-5) is showing that in the beginning it started with those who believed and obeyed Him, (Adam & Eve), but then one day soon, we will all be included with Him in Heaven and all Creation. It is not just explaining a moral improvement or behavioral change, it is an act of divine of re-creation.
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The phrase 'the new is here', is explaining how the new believer has a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27), us being forgiven, adopted, and righteous in God's sight (Romans 8:1-17), He has given us a new mind, that we are shaped by God's truth (Romans 12:2), and that we have a new purpose; which is to glorify God and reconcile others to Him, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
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Biblical/Theological Themes
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This verse is explaining our Regeneration of us being born again and made alive in Christ (John 3:3-7; Ephesians 2:4-6). The passage is explaining our Union with Christ. We as believers receive His blessings 'justification, sanctification, and glorification', which are given to us because we are united in Christ Jesus. We are under a New Covenant in Christ. The Old Covenant was an external part of the plan in the beginning. The New Covenant is an internal, spiritual, and eternal covenant that Christ came to bring and fulfill. When the passage says we are a 'new creation', it is both of an Eschatology End-Time fulfillment. It is both already, but not yet. We live in our old bodies, our old selves. However, Christ dwelling in us gives away of our old spirit, with His Spirit in us. But, when we are living with Christ in Heaven one day soon, we will not only have our new spirit which we received in us in our old bodies, but we will have our new bodies in Christ with our new spirit we accepted when we were baptized by receiving Christ into our heart in our old bodies. We are just waiting for His arrival so we can receive our fullness thereof of our new bodies in Christ that He has promised us.
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Practical Implications
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Your Personal Identity - You Brother/Sister are no longer defined by your past sins, your past self, your past failures, your past trauma, and your worldly status. You are defined by Jesus because you've received Him unto yourself. In Christ, you are fully accepted, you are fully loved by Him, and He is transforming you.
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You Lifestyle Change - When you accepted Christ Brother/Sister, sin no longer will rule your life. Yes, you may slip up into sin, because after all, that is our nature and our flesh. But sin no longer rules your life. Why? It is because He has forgiven you of all of your sins. When we sin, we seek His forgiveness so that we can continue to live a life seperated unto our imperfect world. As a believer, you walk in the Spirit which shows your fruit of the Spirit of your new nature in Christ to those who live in their old nature. That is fruit is of the Holy Spirit. These are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control amplify your new nature in Christ Jesus.
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Your Mission & Witness
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You as a new believer Brother/Sister, you're called to reflect this new life to others and invite them into Christ by your fruit reflecting who He is in your life. When we read verses 18-20, you are an 'ambassador for Christ', and the reason you are an ambassador is because you live in a sinful/broken/unreconciled world which God wants to use you for its reconciliation. The reconciliation for those who are lost, they need to know from you about Jesus which is why you're His ambassador.
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Conclusion
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2 Corinthians 5:17 is not just a statement of personal encouragement mind you, it is a bold declaration of truth about what it means to belong to Christ. It is a declaration that being in Christ is not just a change of behavior, it is a change of who you are itself. The verse calls every single believer to recognize their new identity in Christ. That you and I must live out a transformed life, a new reality of how Christ views the world, and to participate in God's ongoing work of telling the world about Him because He desires none to perish.
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Until We Meet Again ~ Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!