²¹He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Debates have entertained theologians over the interpretation of this verse, because there is an important issue here. Some have suggested that Christ became morally responsible for our sin, as though He had committed our sins in experience. This is patently false, for that would impugn the holiness of Christ. The Scripture is clear here:

For we do not have a high priest [Jesus Christ] who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15). For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens … (Heb 7:26).

If Christ as high priest was affirmed to be without sin and completely holy, innocent, undefiled, and separate from sinners, then certainly Christ as the sacrifice would be so as well. With this, Peter agrees: “[Jesus Christ] who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth …” (1 Peter 2:22).

In his first epistle, the apostle John takes great pains to assert that for humanity in general, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Yet in speaking about Christ, the apostle is adamant: “You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5).

No, Christ did not become morally tainted in order to save us. He “became sin for us” in the sense of becoming our substitute, “on our behalf” (NASB), “for our sake” (ESV). He took responsibility for our sin in a judicial sense as our substitute. This is similar to a phrase in verse 20, “we beg you on behalf of Christ.” We represent Christ in that He is not physically present to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation, but we do it now in His place. The message, though, is that He represented us before the judgment of God, reconciling us to God.

Now, we have no corresponding sense in human judicial systems where someone can take another’s place in receiving judgment. Analogies by gospel preachers, though many, come short. How can God accept a substitute for you and me, when our sin has so alienated us from righteousness? Praise His holy name, He has declared it to be so, and that is enough for faith. This will be one of the mysteries we will contemplate and enjoy for eternity.

Lord, I will praise You for eternity for accepting Jesus Christ as my substitute, the One who became sin for me!