2 Corinthians 5:18

18. Of God See note, 2 Corinthians 5:5. Know, O ye late polytheistic Corinthians, that this whole system of Christian regeneration is firmly fastened to the throne of God.

Hath reconciled us Conditionally. For in 2 Corinthians 5:19 that reconciling is a process still in progress, and in 2 Corinthians 5:20, it depends upon the will of the transgressor whether he will be reconciled or not. It is the divine side, therefore, which St. Paul here designates; none the less implying the human side as condition to completion. And this reconciliation, when completed, is same with the renovation of 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, and fruit of the substitutional death of 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

Ministry Same Greek word as applied to deaconship, Acts 6:1, note. We are the ministers, and in 2 Corinthians 5:20 the ambassadors, of the reconciliation. The us, twice used in this verse, designates St. Paul himself, yet is inclusive of the apostles by implication. Yet no permanent limitation is implied, for the world is included as being reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:19.