Verse Smart · Commentary comparison

2 Corinthians 5:17 Commentary

What do the great Christian commentators say about 2 Corinthians 5:17? Below is a side-by-side look at how Matthew Henry, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, Albert Barnes, and John Wesley read this passage — where they agree, where they diverge.

2 Corinthians 5:17 · WEB

“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.”

Compare interactively

What the commentators agree on

All commentators agree that being 'in Christ' is the basis for this change.
They all emphasize that the transformation is profound, affecting the core being of a person.
There's agreement that this newness involves leaving behind the old, sinful ways.
The commentators understand this change to be a divine work, initiated by God.

Summaries are AI-rendered overviews of public-domain commentaries (Henry, Calvin, Spurgeon, Barnes, Wesley). Always consult primary sources for study.

Each commentator on 2 Corinthians 5:17

Matthew Henry

Late 17th Century

Being in Christ means a person is truly changed, becoming a completely new creation. Old habits, sins, and ways of thinking fade away, replaced by new godly desires and actions, reflecting divine grace.

“Genuine faith in Christ results in a radical inward and outward transformation.”

John Calvin

Mid-16th Century

This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit, making believers participants in Christ's new life. It's not merely an external reform but an internal renewal, where the believer receives new spiritual senses and affections.

“The new birth makes us new creatures, alive to God through union with Christ.”

Charles H. Spurgeon

Mid-19th Century

This verse emphasizes the miraculous nature of conversion, where an individual is fundamentally remade by God. Everything about the person changes, from their heart to their life, as past sins are forgiven and a new future in Christ begins.

“Salvation makes us entirely new beings, where the past is pardoned and the present is transformed.”

Albert Barnes

Mid-19th Century

Union with Christ brings about complete spiritual renewal. The old self, characterized by sin and alienation from God, dies, and a new self, aligned with God's will and love, emerges.

“Belonging to Christ means leaving behind the old ways and embracing a new spiritual life.”

John Wesley

Mid-18th Century

This new creation is the work of God's grace given through faith in Christ, leading to a profound change in heart and life. It signifies a complete break from sin's bondage and a new walk in love and righteousness.

“Faith in Christ instigates a divine transformation, making us new in reality, not just in appearance.”