Amplified Bible
2 Corinthians 5:20
20So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
Context of 2 Corinthians 5:20
18But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God]. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. 21He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].
Read all of 2 Corinthians 52 Corinthians 5:20 word by word
Ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ οὖν πρεσβεύομεν, ὡς τοῦ θεοῦ παρακαλοῦντος δι᾽ ἡμῶν· δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ· καταλλάγητε τῷ θεῷ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Now thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
- we are ambassadorsπρεσβεύωpresbeuō · be ambassadorG4243
- forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
- ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- as thoughὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- did beseechπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870
- byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- we prayδέομαιdeomai · to prayG1189
- be ye reconciledκαταλλάσσωkatallassō · to reconcileG2644
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:20
- 2 Corinthians 3:6He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by revealing sin and demanding obedience], but the Spirit gives life.
- Job 33:23“If there is an angel as a mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To explain to a man what is right for him [that is, how to be in right standing with God],
- Proverbs 13:17A wicked messenger falls into hardship, But a faithful ambassador brings healing.
- Malachi 2:7For the lips of the priest should guard and preserve knowledge [of My law], and the people should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
- John 20:21Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you [as My representatives].”
- Acts 26:17[choosing you for Myself and] rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
- Ephesians 6:20for which I am an ambassador in chains. And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your God-given discernment].
- 2 Corinthians 6:1Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness].
- 2 Kings 17:13Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments and My statutes, in accordance with all the Law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.”
- 2 Chronicles 36:15The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.
- Nehemiah 9:29And You admonished them and warned them to turn them back to Your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and arrogantly and did not heed Your commandments, but sinned against Your ordinances, Which by keeping, a man will live. But they turned a stubborn shoulder, stiffened their neck, and would not listen.
- Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near.
- Jeremiah 44:4Yet I sent to you all My servants the prophets, again and again, saying, “Oh, do not do this shamefully vile thing which I hate.”
- Ezekiel 18:31Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed [against Me], and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why should you die, O house of Israel?
- Job 33:6Behold, I belong to God like you; I too was formed out of the clay.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20We are ambassadors for Christ - ̔ - . 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Now 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 ́ presbeuomenfrom ́ presbusan 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-21Verses 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 the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20The great privilege of believers is to be Christ’s ambassadors (compare Ephesians 6:20). as though God were making His appeal through us: Paul does not claim to speak for God. Instead, God speaks through us. Christ’s redeeming work for sinners allows them to "Be reconciled to God" (see Romans 5:1–11; Ephesians 2:11–22; Colossians 1:15–23). Christian witness centers on this appeal. Paul also urged the rebellious Corinthians to join his side (see 2…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. for Christ ... in Christ's stead--The Greek of both is the same: translate in both cases "on Christ's behalf." beseech ... pray--rather, "entreat [plead with you] ... beseech." Such "beseeching" is uncommon in the case of "ambassadors," who generally stand on their dignity (compare 2Co 10:2; 1Th 2:6, 7). be ye reconciled to God--English Version here inserts "ye," which is not in the original, and which gives the wrong impression, as if it were…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 5:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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