2 Corinthians 5:18

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:18 (KJV)

Context

The book of 2 Corinthians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. In this verse, Paul is discussing the concept of reconciliation, emphasizing that it is a work of God through Jesus Christ.

Meaning

“And all things are of God” highlights the sovereignty and authority of God. It indicates that everything, including the process of reconciliation, originates from God. He is the source and initiator of this divine work.

“Who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ” presents reconciliation as the central theme. It refers to the restoration of a broken relationship between humanity and God. As a result of sin, humans were separated from God, but through Jesus Christ, God provided a way for reconciliation. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross reconciled us to God by paying the price for our sins and bridging the gap between us and God.

“And hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” shows that after receiving reconciliation from God, believers are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. This means that Christians are called to share the message of reconciliation with others. It involves proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, urging others to be reconciled to God, and demonstrating God’s love and forgiveness in our relationships with others.

Application

Because reconciliation is entirely God’s work—initiated by Him, accomplished through Christ, and then entrusted to believers—every Christian is called to live as an agent of that reconciliation. This calling shapes both our words and our actions, as we invite others to be restored to God and reflect His forgiveness in our daily relationships.