The term knew in this context carries the idea of experiential knowledge. It is used in the Bible to refer to a personal knowledge of sin rather than simply understanding what sin is or observing it.
We read in 2 Corinthians 5:21 in the King James Bible:
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.
We know that God sees all things (e.g. Psalm 69:5, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Hebrews 4:13). He knows the depths of wickedness of our hearts (Genesis 6:5, Jeremiah 17:9–10) and minds (Psalm 94:11), and He sees the wicked deeds of mankind (Genesis 6:5). So God does indeed understand what sin is and is faced with it continually. He knows what sin is.
But when we read that Christ knew no sin, it means He never sinned (1 Peter 2:22), and reinforces a foundational truth of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ came to earth in the likeness of man (Romans 8:3, Philippians 2:7) and was tempted in every way yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15, John 8:46)—He was the spotless Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 53:7, 1 John 3:5).
Jesus was like us but separate from us (Hebrews 7:26) because He knew no sin (i.e. he never sinned).
We, as a corrupt race of humans on the other hand, are not only guilty of sinning, but are well-acquainted with sin (cf. Isaiah 53:3–5, Romans 3:10–18, Isaiah 1:1–6). Paul gives a list of sins in Galatians 5 to remind us of the variety of ways that mankind lives in sin (Galatians 5:19–21).
Jesus Christ committed no sin, but was made sin for us, that we might become righteous in the eyes of God. Through faith in Christ, we become sinless in Christ—that is, God sees us in Christ as He sees His own Son (cf. 1 John 3:6 and 1 John 4:17).
So how can we emulate Christ in not knowing sin—the answer is that we allow ourselves to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Galatians 2:20 tells us that we are crucified with Christ and our new life is in Christ who now lives in every believer. We are told that we are new creatures in Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:17. We read in Galatians 5:16 that if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Finally, Romans 8:29 tells us God’s plan is that we be molded into the image of His Son Jesus Christ.
When we yield to the leading of the Lord and humbly follow His path, His Spirit lead us into righteous thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. We can recognize the leading of the Lord through studying His word. As we yield to the word of God, the Spirit of Christ leads us into the mind of Christ (cf. Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:5, Colossians 3:16). For more reading, Ephesians 5:1–20 and Colossians 3:1–17 provide practical guidance on how believers walk in the Spirit. We can even view these passages as evidences of walking in the Spirit.
As we conform to the image of Christ, we will naturally emulate Christ. We do not have to try to be like Christ—that is human effort—but we can let Christ live through us (e.g. Philippians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 7:1,10:17; Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 4:26–29,31 ...). The more we let Christ live through us, the more we become like Christ. Nevertheless, while we are in this world, we will always struggle with sin (Romans 7:17,21; Romans 8:23). But remember, it is not through effort on our part, but in denying self that we can emulate Christ; otherwise, it becomes a work.
[END]
Jesus Christ committed no sin, but was made sin for us, that we might become righteous in the eyes of God. Through faith in Christ, we become sinless in Christ—that is, God sees us in Christ as He sees His own Son (cf. 1 John 3:6 and 1 John 4:17).
So how can we emulate Christ in not knowing sin—the answer is that we allow ourselves to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Galatians 2:20 tells us that we are crucified with Christ and our new life is in Christ who now lives in every believer. We are told that we are new creatures in Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:17. We read in Galatians 5:16 that if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Finally, Romans 8:29 tells us God’s plan is that we be molded into the image of His Son Jesus Christ.
When we yield to the leading of the Lord and humbly follow His path, His Spirit lead us into righteous thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. We can recognize the leading of the Lord through studying His word. As we yield to the word of God, the Spirit of Christ leads us into the mind of Christ (cf. Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:5, Colossians 3:16). For more reading, Ephesians 5:1–20 and Colossians 3:1–17 provide practical guidance on how believers walk in the Spirit. We can even view these passages as evidences of walking in the Spirit.
As we conform to the image of Christ, we will naturally emulate Christ. We do not have to try to be like Christ—that is human effort—but we can let Christ live through us (e.g. Philippians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 7:1,10:17; Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 4:26–29,31 ...). The more we let Christ live through us, the more we become like Christ. Nevertheless, while we are in this world, we will always struggle with sin (Romans 7:17,21; Romans 8:23). But remember, it is not through effort on our part, but in denying self that we can emulate Christ; otherwise, it becomes a work.
[END]
Written by Jerry Smith
Image source: www.LumoProject.com on FreeBibleimages.org
Image source: www.LumoProject.com on FreeBibleimages.org
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