2 Corinthians 5:20

2 Corinthians 5:20

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.

a. NLT: So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

b. NIV: We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

c. YLT: In behalf of Christ, then, we are ambassadors, as if God were calling through us, we beseech, in behalf of Christ, 'Be ye reconciled to God;'

d. Amplified Bible Classic: So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

e. Worrell Translation: On behalf of Christ, therefore, we are ambassadors, as though God were beseeching through us, we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.

f. Wuest Translation: Therefore on behalf of Christ and in His place we are acting as ambassadors, as though God were saying, I beg of you, please, through us as intermediate agents. We beg you in Christ’s stead, Be reconciled at once to God.

1. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…”

a. Now then [Strong: 3767 oun oon apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

b. we are ambassadors [Strong: 4243  presbeuo pres-byoo'-o from the base of 4245; to be a senior, i.e. (by implication) act as a representative (figuratively, preacher):--be an ambassador.] [Thayer: to be older, prior by birth or in age, to be an ambassador, act as an ambassador.] [Bullinger: to be the elder or eldest; to rank before, take precedence of others, to be an ambassador or go as one, to treat or negotiate as one.] [Webster: The highest ranking diplomatic official of a government or state representing it in another country. A representative or agent of another charged with a special mission.]

1). Rick Renner Daily Devotional 1/29/16: The word “ambassador” comes from the Greek word presbeuo. It describes an ambassador or one who fulfills the duties of an ambassador.How wonderful that Paul would use this word to describe you and me! In New Testament times and in today’s world, the word “ambassador” has the same meaning. An “ambassador” can be defined as: An envoy sent to represent a nation to a foreign land. A diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or king. A representative temporarily sent to a foreign country to represent the king or country that sent him. An authorized messenger who has the power to make decisions and to represent the will of the government, nation, or king he represents. An official representative who is authorized to speak on behalf of his sender. According to Paul’s words in Second Corinthians 5:20, we are heavenly delegates — “ambassadors” who have been sent forth as Heaven’s representatives to planet earth! As ambassadors for Christ, we are the voice of Heaven. As His representatives, we are authorized to speak and act on behalf of the Lord. And as Heaven’s ambassadors, we are fully backed, fully funded, fully defended, and fully assisted by the authority and resources of Heaven!

c. for [Strong: 5228 huper hoop-er' a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.]

d. Christ [Strong: 5547 Christos khris-tos' from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

1). Praise God we are his representatives his diplomats representing him here on earth!

2. “…as though God did beseech you by us…”

a. as though [Strong: 5613 hos hoce probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.]

b. God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

c. did beseech [you] [Strong: 3870 parakaleo par-ak-al-eh'-o from 3844 and 2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.]

d. by [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

e. us [Strong: 2257 hemon hay-mone' genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.]

1). When we witness the gospel in love to the lost it is just as if God is speaking to them.

3. “…we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

a. we pray [Strong: 1189 deomai deh'-om-ahee middle voice of 1210; to beg (as binding oneself), i.e. petition:--beseech, pray (to), make request.]

b. you in…stead [Strong: 5228 huper hoop-er' a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.]

c. Christ’s [Strong: 5547 Christos khris-tos' from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

d. [be ye] reconciled [Strong: 2644 katallasso kat-al-las'-so from 2596 and 236; to change mutually, i.e. (figuratively) to compound a difference:--reconcile.]

e. [to] God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). Such encouraging words the Lord gives us to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation he has given us. Some of the other translations give the same encouragement, but in slightly different wording. See the NLT & NIV above. Praise God, he uses us to speak to men and women! He has made us able ministers of the New Covenant.

a). 2 Corinthians 3:3-12 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

2). Even under the Old Covenant it was not God’s will for the lost to die, He has no pleasure in the death of the lost.

a). Ezekiel 3:17-19 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

b). Ezekiel 18:23, 24 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

c). Ezekiel 18:31, 32 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

3). In the New Covenant it is spelled out even clearer. We are to pray for our government leaders not only for them to rule correctly but for their salvation. In that passage it is clear that it is God’s will for all men to be saved. Another example echoing the same desire that God’s will is that none perish is found in 2 Peter.

a). 1 Timothy 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

b). 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

4). He does get pleasure and joy from their repentance.

a). Luke 15:8-10 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

5). In this parable Jesus is relating the joy that occurs in heaven when someone gets saved. Notice closely it says in verse 10, “…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” I have heard many times that the angels rejoice over sinners repenting. Well they may indeed rejoice, but that is not what this passage is saying. It says “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” There are three classes of beings in heaven, there’s God, angels and redeemed man. If the text says it is not angels who are rejoicing that leaves only redeemed man and God and we know of course that man rejoices. Scripture is clear that God rejoices also.

a). Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

b). Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

6). One more spiritual factor needs to be entered into the equation and its under the subject of the authority that was given to Christ because of his obedience to go to the cross for us. Jesus died for the sins of all, of everyone on earth. We are his.

a). Psalm 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

b). The heathen [that’s us!], were given to him for an inheritance. Every human being on planet earth is his, bought and paid for. We have already seen that it is God’s will for them all to be saved and that He is working with us to accomplish that end. The Holy Ghost will take the words we speak and inject them into their hearts as only He can do and draw them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. All of heaven is behind it.