2 Corinthians 5:21 (WEB)

Passage

For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 5:19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "knew", "behalf", "might", "become", and "righteousness". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "knew" and "behalf", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of...", giving immediate footing for "knew" and "behalf". In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "knew" and "behalf" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.