Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:18

τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ καταλλάξαντος ἡμᾶς ἑαυτῷ διὰ Χριστοῦ καὶ δόντος ἡμῖν τ. δ. τ. κ. This great change is not our own work: but all things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and, gave to us the ministry of reconciliation. That ἡμᾶς means all mankind is clear from κόσμον in 2 Corinthians 5:19; and that ἡμῖν means the Apostles is clear from ἐν ἡμῖν in 2 Corinthians 5:19. Had ἡμῖν meant all mankind, we should have had ἐν αὐτοῖς in 2 Corinthians 5:19. Here, as elsewhere in Scripture, the change on man’s side is emphasized: Romans 10:10-11; Romans 11:15. In Romans 5:11 the A.V. renders καταλλαγή by ‘atonement,’ which in 1611 was ‘at-one-ment’ and equivalent to ‘reconciliation.’ “Since we cannot atone you” (Richard II., I. i. 203). “I would do much to atone them” (Othello, IV. i. 244). The notion of making amends by paying something is a later meaning. See Trench, Synonyms § lxxvii. Comp. διαλλάγηθι τῷ� (Matthew 5:24): συνήλλασσεν αὐτοὺς εἰς εἰρήνην (Acts 7:26): and ἀποκαταλλάσσω (Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20-21). S. Paul does not use the LXX. words ἱλάσκομαι, ἐξιλάσκομαι, ἱλασμός. He uses ἱλαστήριον Romans 3:25.

τὴν διακονίαν τῆς καταλλαγῆς. Comp. 2 Corinthians 3:9. To the preachers of the Gospel is committed the work of persuading men to accept God’s offer of reconciliation with Himself. For διακονία used of the Apostles comp. 2 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 6:3; Romans 11:13; 1 Timothy 1:12; and often in Acts.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:18

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