Foundation Text

2 Corinthians 5:21

Greek Key Terms

• ἁμαρτία (hamartia) - sin
• ποιέω (poieō) - to make
• γινώσκω (ginōskō) - to know (participle: "knowing")
• γινώμεθα (ginōmetha) - we might become (subjunctive)
• δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) - righteousness
• θεός (theos) - God

Context: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 describes the ministry of reconciliation. Verse 21 is the theological climax, explaining how God reconciles sinners to Himself.

Connection Method(s): Analogy (Christ-mediated) + Promise-Fulfillment — as God covered Adam and Eve's shame with a garment He Himself provided, so in Christ God covers believers' shame with the robe of His Son's righteousness; the parallel holds only in Christ (the great exchange: Christ made sin, believers made righteousness). Also Promise-Fulfillment — 2 Corinthians 5:21 distills Isaiah 53:6's substitution ("the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all"). This is the NT antitype the trajectory moves toward; the propitiation Genesis 3:21 only anticipated in germ is here defined and accomplished — not a typing of the coats themselves.

Christological Connection: 2 Corinthians 5:21 is the NT fulfillment toward which Genesis 3:21's covering-provision points: the great exchange. "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Christ wore our filthy garments (sin); we receive His robe (righteousness). He took our covering of shame (Genesis 3:7's fig leaves, Genesis 3:10's guilt); we receive His covering of glory (Genesis 3:21's pattern fulfilled perfectly). This is imputed righteousness: Christ's perfect obedience credited to our account by faith alone (Romans 4:5-6, 22-24).

The trajectory: God clothed Adam/Eve with animal skins (Genesis 3:21) → Sacrificial blood covered sin provisionally (Leviticus 17:11) → Christ became sin for us; we become God's righteousness in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21) → We are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27; Romans 13:14).

Application: Do not trust in your own righteousness (fig leaves). Christ has given you His righteousness. You stand before God clothed in Christ's perfect obedience, not your failed attempts at goodness. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

Trajectory Table: 032 - Coats of Skins (Covering of Shame)