Did Jesus become a sinner on the Cross?
The heart of the question centers on Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 5:21 : ”He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf , so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” In what sense did Jesus become “sin on our behalf”? Does that phrase mean that Jesus literally became a sinner on the cross? There are some today who teach that Jesus became a sinner (or took on a sin nature) at the cross. Benny Hinn is one such advocate. In a TBN broadcast, Hinn exclaimed: “He [Jesus] who is righteous by choice said, ‘The only way I can stop sin is by me becoming it. I can’t just stop it by letting it touch me; I and it must become one.’ Hear this! He who is the nature of God became the nature of Satan when he became sin!” (Benny Hinn, Trinity Broadcasting Network , December 1, 1990) Kenneth Copeland echoes those same teachings. In Copeland’s words: “The righteousness of God was made to be sin. He accepted the sin nature of Satan in His own spirit. An