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Wesley's Explanatory Notes

2 Corinthians 5:20

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ — we beseech you in Christ's stead — Herein the apostle might appear to some "transported beyond himself." In general he uses a more calm, sedate kind of exhortation, as in the beginning of the next chapter. What unparalleled condescension and divinely tender mercies are displayed in this verse! Did the judge ever beseech a condemned criminal to accept of pardon? Does the creditor ever beseech a ruined debtor to receive an acquittance in full? Yet our almighty Lord, and our eternal Judge, not only vouchsafes to offer these blessings, but invites us, entreats us, and, with the most tender importunity, solicits us, not to reject them.

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See also 2 Corinthians 5:20 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 20. _WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST_] Ὑπερ Χριστου - πρεσβευομεν. We execute the function of ambassadors in Christ's stead. He came from the Father to mankind on this important embassy. He has l...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    NOW THEN WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST - We are the ambassadors whom Christ has sent forth to negotiate with people in regard to their reconciliation to God, Tyndale renders this: “Now then are we mes...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    6. CONCERNING THE FUTURE. THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION. CHAPTER 5 _ 1. The Earthly and the Heavenly House. (2 Corinthians 5:1 .)_ 2. The Judgment Seat of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:9 .) 3. The Cons...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    2 Corinthians 5:20 to 2 Corinthians 6:10. Paul proceeds to expound and apply the relationship between himself and his converts based upon this ministry. He acts in Christ's stead when he beseeches men...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    So then we are acting as ambassadors on Christ's behalf, for God is sending you his invitation through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made him who had no acquaintance...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    JOY AND JUDGMENT TO COME (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    ARE AMBASSADORS. Greek. _presbeuo._ Only here and Ephesians 6:20. DID BESEECH = is beseeching. App-134. PRAY. App-134. IN... STEAD. on behalf of. Greek _huper,_ as in 2 Corinthians 5:12....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Now then we are ambassadors for Christ_ Literally, WE UNDERTAKE AN EMBASSY (_legatione fungimur_, Vulgate; _usen message_, Wiclif). Tyndale, followed by Cranmer and the Geneva Version, render, _are m...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Christian Ministry one of Reconciliation 11. _the terror of the Lord_ i.e. "His to-be-dreaded judgment." Beza. This translation is due to the Geneva Version, following Beza and Calvin (Wiclif, _d...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ὙΠῈΡ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂. First with emphasis. ON BEHALF OF CHRIST, THEREFORE, WE ARE ACTING AS AMBASSADORS, _as though God_ WERE INTREATING _by us_ (2 Corinthians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 9:11). Comp. for the constr...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    20, 21. He sets forth his work as an ambassador from God. See Lightfoot’s _Ordination Addresses_, pp. 47 ff....

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21:_ Regeneration and reconciliation are both necessary if we are to be with God in heaven. Both regeneration and reconciliation are in Christ and by Chris...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΎΠΈΡ (G5228) от имени, представляя. Возможно, предлог передает также идею "вместо" (Hughes; _см._ 2 Corinthians 5:14). ΠΡΕΣΒΕΎΟΜΕΝ _praes. ind. act. от_ ΠΡΕΣΒΕΎΩ (G4243) быть послом, выполнять обязан...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2022 THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION 2 Corinthians 5:19. _God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST,— The Apostles were so in a peculiar sense; but if it be the will of Christ that ministers, in all ages, should press men to accept the treaty of reconciliation establish...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTARY SECTION 3 Fallibility of the Human Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:16-21) 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _The Ministry of Reconciliation Scripture_ 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconci...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Now 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. FOR CHRIST ... IN CHRIST'S STEAD. The Greek of both is the same...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    16 Paul had been proclaiming the kingdom, with Christ and the nation which is related to Him by physical ties at its head. Entrance into that kingdom was by a birth from above. But now the figure of b...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    5:20 were] (g-10) 'As of God beseeching;' 'as though,' or 'as if,' is too much similarity or comparison. God being in Christ, and they Christ's ambassadors, they besought on God's behalf. He was as be...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    The subject of 2 Corinthians 4 is continued. St. Paul has been pointing out that amid bodily weakness and decay he is encouraged by the thought that the temporal is transient, while the spiritual is e...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    BE YE RECONCILED TO GOD] It is not God who needs to be reconciled to man, but man who needs to be reconciled to God....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD SHOWS HIS POWER WHEN WE ARE WEAK 2 CORINTHIANS _PHILIP SMITH_ CHAPTER 5 V1 We know this. Our body is like an *earthly tent. If our *earthly tent falls down, we will have a permanent building....

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    NOW THEN WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST — The preposition “for” implies the same representative character as in 2 Corinthians 5:14. The preachers of the Word were acting _on behalf of_ Christ; they wer...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 16 RECONCILIATION. 2 Corinthians 5:18 (R.V) "IF any man be in Christ," Paul has said, "there is a new creation; he is another man and lives in another world. But the new creation has the sam...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    to 2 Corinthians 6:3. AS CHRIST'S AMBASSADOR HE ENTREATS THE CORINTHIANS TO BE RECONCILED TO GOD....

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ οὖν πρεσβεύομεν κ. τ. λ.: _we are ambassadors therefore, sc._, because to us has been committed the Ministry of Reconciliation, _on behalf of Christ_, as Christ's representative (see on 2...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST 2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 6:1 On God's side the work of reconciliation is complete. Everything has been done and is in readiness to make forgiveness and justifying righ...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The vision of the house of God, and the coming at last to the Lord, throws its light on, and explains the value of, the groaning and the burden of the tabernacle, of the period of absence from the Mas...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    VERSE 20 As ambassador carries messages from the King. Because Christ's blood had cleansed him of sin, Paul carried the message of salvation to the world. As Christ's messenger, he pleaded with men to...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    Be not deaf to this voice, harden not your hearts, suffer yourselves to be moved to the charity of God: it is immense, it is infinite. (Bible de Vence)...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Now 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. The Apostle hath very beautifully introduced this verse, in the mid...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    20._As if God did beseech you _This is of no small importance for giving authority to the embassy: nay more, it is absolutely necessary, for who would rest upon the testimony of men, in reference to h...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    What then is the effect of the possession of life in Christ as applied to death and judgment, the two natural objects of men's fears, the fruit of sin? If our bodies are not yet transformed; and if th...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    NOW THEN WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST,.... Since God has made reconciliation by Christ, and the ministry of it is committed to us, we are ambassadors for him; we come with full powers from him, not t...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Now 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. Ver. 20. _Ambassadors for Christ_] And therefore sacred person...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _And all things_, &c. These new things _are_ all _of God_, the author of them, considered in this view as _reconciling us to himself_ Removing our carnal mind, which was enmity against him, and taking...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST; persons appointed to act in his stead....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The ministry of reconciliation:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    NOW, 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....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Unquestioned certainty as to the future, and present confidence of faith are seen here further developed. "We know" is the proper language of Christianity. "The earthly house of this tabernacle" is of...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    16-21 The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is t...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    The apostle here giveth us a true notion, not only of apostles, which were the first and principal ministers of the gospel, but of all other ministers; teaching us what all ministers should be, and wh...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God....

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Origen Against Celsus Book VIII , and at the same time to unfold the truths of Christianity with such fulness as our purpose requires. And as Paul said, "We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    2 Corinthians 5:20 then G3767 ambassadors G4243 (G5719) for G5228 Christ G5547 though G5613 God G2316 pleading...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    GOD'S MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (2 CORINTHIANS 5:11 TO 2 CORINTHIANS 6:2). Having spoken of God's work in the heart through His Spirit, and of the new covenant, followed by the revelation of the Chri...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we plead on behalf of Christ, be you reconciled to God.' ‘Therefore', because a way of reconciliation has been m...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    2 Corinthians 5:20. WE ACE AMBASSADORS THEREFORE ON BEHALF OF CHRIST, AS THOUGH GOD WERE INTREATING BY US (as His mouth), WE BESEECH _YOU_ ON BEHALF OF CHRIST, BE YE RECONCILED TO GOD. Calvin would ex...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    WE ARE AMBASSADORS THEREFORE ON BEHALF OF CHRIST (υπερ Χριστου ουν πρεσβευομεν). Old word from πρεσβυς, an old man, first to be an old man, then to be an ambassador (here and Ephesians 6:20 with εν...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    2 Corinthians 5:20 The Gospel Embassy. If any man should ask what is the chief work of the Christian ministry, here is the answer: God has sent us; we are ambassadors for Christ. God has given us ou...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    2 Corinthians 5:9. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1. _For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens._ Is not this grand courage on the part of...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Why death has no terrors for the Lord's servant. The motive and object of ministry for Christ. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Paul. CONCLUSION: The servant of God who has the earnest...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    2 Corinthians 5:1. _We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God eternal in the heavens._ The contrast between a house made with hands, and a house ma...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    AS THOUGH GOD HIMSELF. _Proxy_ probably would be a better word than _ambassador._ Paul (and every Christian) acts as a _proxy_ for God by trying to persuade others to let God change them from enemies...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _And all things are of God who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ._ HIGH DOCTRINE Whatsoever the Christian can desire is to be found in the “all things.” But lest even that should not be...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ._ OF THE NATURE AND USE OF THE GOSPEL MINISTRY AS AN EXTERNAL MEAN OF APPLYING CHRIST First, Christ’s ambassadors commissionated. “Now, then, we are ambassad...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 5:18 RECONCILIATION. These verses outline (1) the _basis_ of Paul’s apostolic ministry of the new covenant (Paul’s own reconciliation to God through Christ); (2) it...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God._ As Christ's ambassadors, even as if Christ were entreating you by us, we implore you to give up your wills to be reconciled to God. See what d...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTIER 5 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. The Apostle goes on to remind the Corinthians of the glories of heaven, saying that in exile here and in the tabernacle of the flesh he longs for them, and wish...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 2 Corinthians 5:1.—Flow of _thought quite continuous_ from 2 Corinthians 4:18. _For_ (2 Corinthians 4:15).… _For_ (17).… _For_ ...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION Continuation of the topic that hope is the chief support of the preacher of the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:1). Their self-sacrifice in preaching the gospel of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    This time, let's turn in our Bibles to II Corinthians, chapter five. Paul talked about how he was constantly facing death for the cause of Jesus Christ. But though he was constantly facing death, vari...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; 2 Chronicles 36:15;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    We are ambassadors [π ρ ε σ β ε υ ο μ ε ν]. Only here and Ephesians 6:10....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, 1. The minister's office and employment declared: they ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST; ambassadors from God to man, and as ambassadors they have their mission, their commission, from. great...

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