Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Note: The notes on this verse are too large for a single file, they are continued on Verse 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us. The Greek here is, "For him who knew no sin, he hath made sin, or a sin-offering for us." The design of this very important verse is to urge the strongest possible reason for being reconciled to God.
Observe here, 1. The spotless innocency of our Lord Jesus Christ, as mediator, declared: He knew no sin; that is, practically and experimentally, he knew it not so as to commit it in the least degree; he was a pure, innocent, and sinless, Person: but theoretically and speculatively he did know sin.
For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (q) A sinner, not in himself, but by imputation of the guilt of all our sins to him. (r) Who was completely void of sin.