2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV): meaning and how to memorise it

What 2 Corinthians 5:17 says

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. The old things are passed away, and all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 in context

¹⁴For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: ¹⁵And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. ¹⁶Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. ¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ¹⁸And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5, verses 14–20. Read the whole chapter with John Brown’s notes in the Self-Interpreting Bible.

2 Corinthians 5:17 in the catechisms

The Reformation catechisms and confessions cite 2 Corinthians 5:17 3 times as a proof text.

WSC 35
What is sanctification?
HC 60
How art thou righteous before God?
HC 88
In how many things does true repentance or conversion consist?

How to memorise 2 Corinthians 5:17

Hearers breaks the verse into clauses and teaches each clause in four steps. Then it brings each clause back just before you forget it.

01
Read
Read the verse with the clauses marked. Listen to it read aloud.
02
Trace
Type the first letter of each word, with the words shown faintly.
03
Fade
Half of the words go. Type the text again, and fill the gaps from memory.
04
Recall
All the words go. Type it or say it aloud. Each clause gets its own grade and its own review date.