Paul: Made sin for us

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Let us look at the idea of "Jesus made sin for us" in a series of steps that goes through a number of related topics. Interesting linguistic properties of certain words are pointed out along the way.

What does Paul mean when he says that Jesus was "made sin for us"?

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [kjv]

τον μη γνοντα αμαρτιαν υπερ ημων αμαρτιαν εποιησεν ινα ημεις γενωμεθα δικαιοσυνη θεου εν αυτω [gnt]

Paul tells us that Jesus was made "sin for us".

2 Corinthians 5:21

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KJV: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Greek: τον γαρ μη γνοντα αμαρτιαν υπερ ημων αμαρτιαν εποιησεν ινα ημεις γινωμεθα γενωμεθα δικαιοσυνη θεου εν αυτω

Latin: eum qui non noverat peccatum pro nobis peccatum fecit ut nos efficeremur iustitia Dei in ipso

Wycliffe: God the fadir made hym synne for vs, which knewe not synne, that we schulden be maad riytwisnesse of God in hym.

Slavonic: Не ведевшаго бо греха по нас грех сотвори, да мы будем правда Божия о Нем.

What does Paul mean when he says they Jesus was made "sin for us"? What is sin? What exactly is "sin"? Do good people sin? Are people good?

Sin and good people

1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [kjv]

που σου θανατε το νικος που σου θανατε το κεντρον [gnt]

15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [kjv]

το δε κεντρον του θανατου η αμαρτια η δε δυναμις της αμαρτιας ο νομος [gnt]

15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [kjv]

Do people fear the "sting of death" as stated by Paul?

The Greek word «κέντρον» means something with a sharp point, which could be used as a whip or goad. As such, it could be like a pole with a sharp point. It can also mean a thorn, nail, etc.

More: A scatter-brained approach to the sting of a scorpion

1 Corinthians 15:55

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KJV: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Greek: που σου θανατε το κεντρον νικος που σου αδη θανατε το νικος κεντρον

1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [kjv]

το δε κεντρον του θανατου η αμαρτια η δε δυναμις της αμαρτιας ο νομος [gnt]

The word «κέντρον» is related to the center of a circle.

The modern Greek word "κέντρο" (KEHN-tro) ≈ "center".

1 Corinthians 15:56

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KJV: The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Greek: το δε κεντρον του θανατου η αμαρτια η δε δυναμις της αμαρτιας ο νομος

Latin: stimulus autem mortis peccatum est virtus vero peccati lex

Wycliffe: But the pricke of deth is synne; and the vertu of synne is the lawe.

Slavonic: Жало же смерти грех: сила же греха закон.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [kjv]

τω δε θεω χαρις τω διδοντι ημιν το νικος δια του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου [gnt]

… victoriam … [v]

Note: The modern Greek word "νίκη" (NEE-kee) ≈ "victory" as in Nike shoes.

1 Corinthians 15:57

All

KJV: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Greek: τω δε θεω χαρις τω διδοντι ημιν το νικος δια του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου

Latin: Deo autem gratias qui dedit nobis victoriam per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum