2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation. I. Regeneration, which consists of two things; namely, 1. Weanedness from the world: ?Henceforth we know no man after the flesh, 2 Cor. 5:16. We do not own nor affect any person or thing in this world for carnal ends and outward advantage: we are enabled, by divine grace, not to mind nor regard... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

5:20-21 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 with sin to be sin for us, that through him we might become the righteousness of God. Because we are trying to help him to win men, we urge you not to have received the offer of the grace of God all to no purpose. (For scripture says, "At an accepted time I heard you, and in the day of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:20

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 to propose terms of peace, to treat with men about it, to offer it to them, but to publish and proclaim it as made by him: we represent him, and God who made it by him, as though God did beseech you by us ; to regard this embassy and message of peace, which we bring from him; to consider... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:20

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 left the world, and appointed us in his place. Ambassador is a person sent from one sovereign power to another; and is supposed to represent the person of the sovereign by whom he is deputed. Christ while on earth represented the person of the Sovereign of the world; his apostles and their successors... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:20

Verse 20 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 his eternal salvation? It is a matter of too much importance, to allow of our resting contented with the promise of men, without feeling assured that they are ordained by God, and that God speaks to us by them. This is the design of those commendations, with which Christ himself signalizes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:20

Now then. It is, then, on Christ's behalf that we are ambassadors. This excludes all secondary aims. St. Paul uses the same expression in Ephesians 6:20 , adding with fine contrast that he is "an ambassador in fetters." As though God did beseech you by us; rather, as if God were exhorting you by our means . In Christ's stead; rather, we, on Christ ' s behalf, beseech you . Be ye reconciled to God. This is the sense of the embassy. The aorist implies an immediate acceptance... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:20

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 messengers in the room of Christ.” The word used here πρεσβεύομεν presbeuomen, from πρέσβυς presbus an aged man, an elder, and then an ambassador) means to act as an ambassador, or sometimes merely to deliver a message for another, without being empowered to do any thing more than to explain or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

2 Corinthians 5:18-20. 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 us into his favour; by Jesus Christ Through whose sacrifice and intercession, merits and Spirit, these blessings are obtained. And hath given to us His ministers, and especially to his apostles; the ministry of reconciliation The gospel ministry, offering... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

The power of love (5:11-6:13)Because Paul knows that he is accountable to Christ, he knows what it means to fear the Lord, and this makes him more diligent in his service. God knows that his motives are pure and he trusts that the Corinthians know also (11).In making these statements, Paul is not trying to write a recommendation for himself. He is trying to give his supporters reason to be bold in defending him against those who criticize him (12). They may have seen him display his feelings in... read more