That is: these words are variously interpreted: (1) Some interpreters take the two Greek words as equivalent to the word “because” and understand verse 19 as providing the cause or basis for what is said in verse 18. (2) Others understand these words to mean “that is to say” (so Revised Standard Version), in which case verse 19 is a restatement of verse 18. Contemporary English Version says “What we mean is that…,” and New American Bible says “namely.” (3) Some interpreters think that the words in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them are traditional material used in the worship of the church, and which Paul quotes here. On this interpretation the first Greek word is transitional, and the second word is the equivalent of quotation marks. Anchor Bible says “As it is said, God, in Christ, was reconciling….”

The second interpretation (that of Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, and New American Bible) seems to be more probable. Some translations leave this relationship between verses 18 and 19 unexpressed (so Good News Translation, Revised English Bible).

A major difficulty in translating this verse is knowing whether the words in Christ are connected most closely to the word God or to the verb was reconciling. In the first interpretation Paul would be making a statement concerning the incarnation, that is, that God was in Christ (so Segond, King James Version, Revised English Bible, RSV footnote, and TEV footnote). In the latter interpretation Paul would be saying that through Christ God was reconciling the world to himself (so Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and REB footnote). The interpretation followed by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation seems preferable, though both interpretations fit Paul’s theology.

On the translation of reconciling see comments on verse 18.

The world: though it is possible that the world here means not only human beings but also the entire universe (see Rom 8.19-23), most likely Paul is thinking of people only, “mankind” (so Good News Translation).

Not counting their trespasses against them: the word translated trespasses is different from the more usual word for “sin” and possibly focuses on unintentional violation of God’s will in some contexts. But here it is virtually synonymous with “sin.” The verbal expression “to count against…” is one involving the keeping of records of commercial accounts, but it may also have the meaning “to keep a mental record of” in other contexts. The meaning here is that God does not keep an account of human failings but rather forgives them. Some model translations are: “not holding anyone’s faults against them” (New Jerusalem Bible); “he does not keep against men an account of their offenses” (Translator’s New Testament); “instead of holding men to account for their sins” (Knox).

Entrusting to us the message of reconciliation: the expression message of reconciliation focuses more on the verbal aspect of bringing people to God, while the “ministry of reconciliation” (verse 18) has to do more with the actual work. The idea here is that of giving responsibility to proclaim this message to other people. Some possible models are “he gave us the work of telling the news of this friendship” or “he charged us to preach this message of peace.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .