2 Corinthians 5:19 God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.
Which Words Are Key?
Proponents of UOJ will tell you that the key words in this verse are “world” and “men’s” (which is sometimes translated as “their”). Proponents of UOJ will tell you that men’s is referring back to the word “world” and therefore UOJ is true since all of the world’s sins have not been counted against them.
But, does the verse say that sins have not been counted against the world (past tense). Or, does it say God was and is in the process of not counting sins against those of the world (past, present and future tense)?
You see, I would argue that the key words in the verse are “was” and “reconciling” rather than “world” and “men’s.” In the Greek, the word translated “was” carries with it a past, present and future sense. It was, is and will continue to happen. In other words, in Paul’s day, what Paul was saying is that God was (in the past), is (in the 1st century) and will continue (until the end of time) to be reconciling the world to himself…oh, and here it comes…“in Christ” by way of not counting men’s sins against them.
Here again, the word “reconciling” (not “reconciled”) suggests something ongoing. And how will God continue to go about all of this reconciling? Context once again tells us. The way in which man is to be found having been made new in Christ, is through the message of reconciliation (2Co 5:19-21).
Be Reconciled (Present, Not Past)
This is all further evidenced by the fact that Paul goes on to implore the Corinthians to be reconciled to God. He does not say, “Isn’t it great that the whole world has been reconciled to God even apart from faith.” No, he says, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2Co 5:20).”
Reality
“In Christ” makes all the difference. In keeping with JIC, there is a sense in which we could say that the whole world has indeed been reconciled to God, BUT (and, that’s a great big BUT), that reconciliation remains in Christ. A person has to, himself, be in Christ in order to receive that which is in Christ (namely, reconciliation – in addition to justification, forgiveness righteousness, etc.). Those who remain outside of Christ, also remain outside of the reconciliation, justification, forgiveness and so on, which is found in Christ.
You see, that whole “in Christ” thing, just keeps getting in the way of UOJ being valid for those outside of Christ. And, just as those who are in Christ get all of the blessings and benefits of all that is in Christ, so too, those who are outside of Christ, get all of the “blessings” and “benefits” of that which is outside of Christ – such getting to sin all they want, as well as standing condemned, remaining under God’s wrath, and so on.
That just makes sense, in light of Scripture, doesn’t it? Or, is it just me? And, it makes far more sense than “some are forgiven and forgiven (objective/subjective for believers), while others are forgiven and unforgiven (objective/subjective for unbelievers).” See: Mt 6:14-15; Mt 12:32 & Jn 20:23.
2Co 5:19 does not suggest that the whole world has been reconciled (past tense) to God, but rather that reconciliation of the world comes by way of Christ’s completed work of reconciliation and is found in Christ, received by anyone who is a part of the whole world by way of the reconciliation message which brings about a new creation (the righteousness of God – 2 Co 5:21) in Christ.
Or, at least that’s my view. You’ll have to decide for yourself, in light of Scripture.
So, what do you think…does UOJ or JIC work best here?