John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 5:17

"Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [he is] a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ASV)

Therefore if any man is in Christ. Since something is lacking in this expression, it must be supplied in this way: “If anyone desires to hold a place in Christ—that is, in the kingdom of Christ or in the Church—let him be a new creature.”

By this expression, he condemns every kind of excellence that is usually highly esteemed among people if renewal of heart is lacking. “Learning, it is true, and eloquence, and other endowments are valuable and worthy to be honored; but where the fear of the Lord and an upright conscience are lacking, all their honor counts for nothing. Therefore, let no one glory in any distinction, since the chief praise of Christians is self-renunciation.”

Nor is this said merely to repress the vanity of the false apostles, but also with the aim of correcting the ambitious judgments of the Corinthians, where outward disguises held more value than real sincerity—though this is a fault common to almost all ages. For where shall we find the person who does not attach much more importance to show than to true holiness? Let us, therefore, keep in mind this admonition: that all who are not renewed by the Spirit of God should be regarded as nothing in the Church, no matter what other distinctions they may possess.

Old things are passed away. When the Prophets speak of the kingdom of Christ, they foretell that there will be new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17), thereby meaning that all things will be changed for the better until the happiness of the pious is completed. However, since Christ’s kingdom is spiritual, this change must take place primarily in the Spirit, and so he appropriately begins with this. Therefore, there is an elegant and appropriate allusion when Paul uses such a commendation to set forth the value of regeneration.

Now by old things he means the things that are not made new by the Spirit of God. Hence, this term is contrasted with renewing grace. He uses the expression passed away in the sense of fading away, as things of short duration tend to fall off when they have passed their season. Hence, it is only the new man that flourishes and is vigorous in the kingdom of Christ.