A new creature, and not wholly new
However, there is one scripture more, which will put the matter beyond question, they say. If any man is a believer in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. Now, certainly, a person cannot be a new creature and an old creature at once.
Yes, he may. He may be partly renewed, which was the very case of those at Corinth. They were doubtless renewed in the spirit of their mind, or they could not have been so much as babes in Christ. Yet they did not have the whole mind which was in Christ, for they envied one another.
But it is said expressly that old things have passed away, and that all things have become new. We must not interpret the apostle's words so as to make him contradict himself. If we keep him consistent with himself, the plain meaning is this. His old judgment has now passed away. That old judgment concerned justification, holiness, and happiness, indeed the things of God in general. So have his old desires, designs, affections, tempers, and manner of life. All these have undeniably become new, greatly changed from what they were. And yet, though they are new, they are not wholly new. Still he feels, to his sorrow and his shame, remains of the old man, plain stains of his former tempers and affections. But those remains cannot gain any advantage over him, so long as he watches and prays.
1771 text
2. “However, there is one scripture more, which will put the matter out of question. If any man be (a believer) in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are past away: behold all things are become new, 2 Cor. v. 17. Now, certainly a man cannot be a new creature and an old creature at once.” Yes, he may. He may be partly renewed, which was the very case of those at Corinth. They were doubtless renewed in the spirit of their mind, or they could not have been so much as babes in Christ. Yet they had not the whole mind which was in Christ, for they envied one another. “But it is said expresly, old things are past away: all things are become new.” But we must not so interpret the apostle’s words, as to make him contradict himself. And if we will make him consistent with himself, the plain meaning of the words is this. His old judgment (concerning justification, holiness, happiness, indeed concerning the things of God in general) is now past away. So are his old desires, designs, affections, tempers, and conversation. All these are undeniably become new, greatly changed from what they were. And yet though they are new, they are not wholly new. Still he feels, to his sorrow and shame, remains of the old man, too manifest taints of his former tempers and affections, though they cannot gain any advantage over him, as long as he watches unto prayer.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
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