To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
God was in Christ, reconciling. Translate, 'God in (the person of) Christ (in virtue of Christ's intervention) was reconciling,' etc. х een (G2258) katallassoon (G2644)], the act of reconciliation, is (as the imperfect "was," and the participle "reconciling," imply) simultaneous with the "not imputing their trespasses unto them."] The compound of "was" and "reconciling," instead of the imperfect (Greek), may also imply the continuous purpose of God, from before the world, to reconcile to Himself man, whose fall was foreseen. The expression "IN Christ" may imply additionally that God was IN Christ (John 10:38; John 14:10), and so by Christ (the God-man) was reconciling, etc. The Greek х dia (G1223)] for "by" or through Christ ('Aleph (') B C Delta f g, Vulgate, omit "Jesus"), 2 Corinthians 5:18, is different. "Reconciling" х katallassoon (G2644)] implies 'changing' the judicial status from one of condemnation to one of justification. The atonement (at-one-ment), or reconciliation, is the removal of the bar to peace and acceptance with the holy God, which His righteousness interposed against our sin. The first step toward peace between us and God was on God's side (John 3:16). The change now to be effected must be on the part of offending man, God, the offended One, being already reconciled. It is man, not God, who now needs to be reconciled, by laying aside his enmity against God (Romans 5:10-11). ('We have received the atonement' х teen (G3588) katallageen (G2643), 'reconciliation'], cannot mean 'We have received the laying aside of our own enmity.') Compare Romans 3:24-25.
The world - all men (Colossians 1:20; 1 John 2:2). The manner of reconciling is stated-namely, by His 'not imputing their trespasses to men,' but to Christ the Sin-bearer (2 Corinthians 5:21). Where there is a non-imputation of men's sins, there must be an imputation of Christ's righteousness. There is no incongruity that a Father should be offended with that son whom He loveth, and at that time offended when He loveth him. So, though God loved men, yet He was offended with them when they sinned, and gave His Son to suffer for them, that through that Son's obedience He might be reconciled to them (reconcile them to Himself - i:e., restore them WITH JUSTICE to His favour) (Dr. Pearson, 'Creed').
Hath committed unto us, х themenos (G5087) en (G1722) heemin (G2254)] - 'hath put in our hands' "Us" - i:e., ministers.