Made Righteousness: Owen’s Argument 16g: Various Passages of Scripture

Owen’s Argument 16g: Various Passages of Scripture - Made Righteousness

Text

2 Cor. v. 21, “He hath made him to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Owen’s Explanation

Everyone for whom Christ was made to be sin, or a sin offering, is made righteousness.

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath.i.ix.xi.html


Refutation

Owen correctly notes that the passage could be saying Christ was made a sin offering. As far as everyone for whom Christ was offered becoming righteousness, the verb genometha (might be made) is in the subjunctive mood, not indicative. So their becoming righteous isn’t certain, but rather uncertain. This passage just indicates the intent of the offering, not the effect.

Comments

Daniel said…
I believe you may be flattening out the Koine use of the subjunctive. In following a hina , the subjunctive does not indicate uncertainty but rather purpose. In this case the sense of the text could be stated "He made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, in order that we should be made the righteousness of God in him.”
November 2, 2012 at 9:50 PM
Godismyjudge said…
Daniel,

Thanks for commenting. I agree it's a subjunctive of purpose, but I wouldn't oppose that to uncertainty as if it were an either/or thing. I like Goodwin's way of explaining the subjunctive of purpose; it reproduces the original though of the actor. Yes, it's his intention, but the actor is thinking, "if I do X, Y might happen".

In back of this is Owen's assumption that everything God intends happens. But the scriptures speak of God doing things "in vain". (Jeremiah 2:30) So that assumption is incorrect.

God be with you,
Dan

November 3, 2012 at 8:54 AM
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