Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new .

If any man be in Christ, is as much as, if any man be implanted, or ingrafted into Christ, by Faith united to him, he is a new Creature [the Greek is, a new creation.] A Phrase, which argueth the greatest change imaginable, and such a one as can be wrought in the Soul by no other power, than the Power of God. We have the same expression Gal. 6.15. The Ellipsis of the Verb make some translate it [[illegible: 1 word]] him be a new Creature, supplying [non-Latin text not transcribed] for [non-Latin text not transcribed]. But the next words shew us, that the Apostle is speaking of what is past, Old things are passed away, old Affections, Passions, Notions, &c. He hath the same Soul, but new qualities, new apprehensions in his Understanding, new inclinations in his Will and Affections, new thoughts, counsels, and designs. The Predicate sheweth that the term, be in christ, cannot be understood of those that are only in the Church, and turned from Paganism to the Christian Faith; (for there are many such in the World, in whom there is no new Creation, and who have in them nothing of this new Creature)

Marginal references: Rom. 8.9.; Or, let him be.; Isa. 43.18, 19. & 65.17. Rev. 21.5.