NEW CREATION AND LIFE TRANSFORMATION IN CHRIST
An Exegetical Study of en Christo in 2 Corinthians 5:17
Abstract
The Christian life represents the integration of faith and practice; however, a persistent gap often exists between religious expression and daily conduct. This study addresses the need for a theological framework that guides believers toward a consistent expression of their identity in Christ. Focusing on 2 Corinthians 5:17, this research employs an exegetical method to examine the meaning of the expression en Christo (“in Christ”) and its theological implications. Through grammatical, lexical, and contextual analysis, the study reveals that being “in Christ” signifies a profound union that results in a radical transformation, described by Paul as becoming a “new creation” (kainē ktisis). This transformation entails not merely behavioral improvement but a comprehensive renewal of identity, character, and relational life. The findings affirm that the Christian life is fundamentally a life of ongoing renewal, in which the old self has passed away and a new life is actualized in Christ. This study contributes to practical theology by emphasizing the relevance of biblical exegesis for shaping a consistent faith identity and transformative daily living.
Downloads
References
Arndt, William F. and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1995.
Bird, Michael F. Evangelical Theology. (Grand Rapid: Zondervan Publishing House, 2013)
Bromiley, Geoffrey W. Theological Dictionary of The New Testament. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1992.
Childs, Brevard S. Biblical Theology of The Old and New Testaments, Theological Reflection on the Christian Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992.
Clarke, Adam. Clarke's Commentary I Corinthians – Philemon. Concord: Wesleyan Heritage Publications, tt.
Dibelius, Martin and Hans Conzelmann. A Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, tt.
Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998.
Dwiraharjo, Susanto. Inkarnasi Kristus Sebagai Pola Hidup Orang Percaya Menurut Filipi 2:5-8. Manna Raflesia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.38091/man_raf.v12i1
_______________, The Incarnation of Christ Is a Great Mystery in Righteousness, Study Exegesis in Timothy 3:16. https://mahabbah.org/e-journal/index.php/mjre/article/view/119
__________, dan Boby Kurnia Putrawan. The Trinity and Cyber Culture: Crafting Theologically Responsible Analogies in the Digital Age. https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/11206
Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology. Grand Rapid: Baker Academic,2013.
Fee, Gordon D. Pauline Christology An Exegetical-Theological Study. Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. 2007.
Gaebelein, Frank E. (G.E), J. D. Douglas (A.E). Expositor's Bible commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979.
Gill, John. John Gill’s Exsposition Bible Commentary of New Testament Commentary. Fort Wayne: Allen County Public Library, 2003.
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
Hawthrone, Gerald F, Ralph P. Martin and Daniel G. Reid. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. England: Inter Varsity Press, 1997.
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible New Testament. Grand Rapids: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, tt.
Douglas, J. D. and Merrill C. Tenney Revised By Moisés Silva. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, tt.
Kaiser, Walter C., JR. Toward an Exegesis Theology Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Michigan: Baker Book House, 1981.
McDowell, Bill. Historical Research: A Guide for Writers of Dissertations, Theses, Articles and Books. Edinburgh Routledge: 2014.
Muddiman, John and John Barton. The Oxford Commentary the Paul Epistle. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral. Illionis: IVP Academic, 2006.
Porter, Stanley E. (ed). Handbook to Exegesis of The New Testament. Leiden:
Brill Academic Publishers, Inc., 2002.
Ridderbos, Herman N. The International Commentary on the New Testament. Michigan: WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. tt.
Rienecker, Fritz. A Linguistic Key the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Regency Reference Library, 1976.
Thiselton, Anthony C. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2015.
Twomey, Jay. The Pastoral Epistles through the centuries, Blackwell Bible commentaries. Hong Kong: Utopia Press, 2009.
Wassif, Luka. Acts And Pauline Letters. United States: Diocese of the Southern United States, 2006.
Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basic. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996
Walvoord, John, and. Roy b. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 1984.
Wiersbe, Warren W. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. Colorado: David C. Cook, 2007.
Williams, J. Rodman. Renewal Theology Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective, three Volumes in One. Grand Rapid: Zondervan, 1992.
Copyright (c) 2025 Susanto Dwiraharjo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
