What does 2 Corinthians 5:20 mean?

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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. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Explanation

2 Corinthians 5:20 contains a message from the Apostle Paul to the believers in Corinth where he speaks about the role of believers as ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is a representative or envoy of a sovereign state, in this case, the Kingdom of God. Paul highlights the importance of his and his co-workers’ role in representing Christ on earth. It implies that they speak on behalf of Christ and carry His message of reconciliation to the people. The verse stresses that God is making His appeal through these human ambassadors, and the plea is for the people to be reconciled with God, which means to restore the relationship broken by sin.

Historical Context

The epistle of 2 Corinthians was written by Paul in the mid-first century AD, possibly around 55-57 AD. This letter was addressed to the church in Corinth, which was dealing with various internal conflicts, including challenges to Paul’s authority, and misunderstandings of his teachings. Corinth was a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population and a range of religious and philosophical beliefs, which influenced the congregation. Paul wrote this letter to reaffirm his role as an apostle and to encourage the Corinthians to live lives that reflect the teachings of Christ.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse provides several insights:

Christ’s Ambassadors: Believers are considered Christ’s envoys on earth with a mission to spread the message of the Gospel.
Ministry of Reconciliation: The centrality of reconciliation suggests that the primary purpose of Christ’s mission was to restore the relationship between God and humanity.
Role of God in Salvation: The verse implies that God initiates the process of reconciliation and does so through human agents.
Appeal for Response: This passage urges a response from the audience—essentially, a call for repentance and acceptance of the Gospel message.

Different Christian denominations may interpret and emphasize certain aspects of this passage in varied ways, reflecting broader differences in their soteriology (theology of salvation) and ecclesiology (theology of the church).

Practical Applications

The verse invites several practical applications:

Personal Responsibility: Believers are encouraged to see themselves as representatives of Christ and to act in ways that honor that role.
Mission and Evangelism: There is a clear call to be active in sharing the Christian faith with others.
Bridging Divides: The concept of reconciliation may apply not just to the divine-human relationship but also to interpersonal and societal conflicts, encouraging efforts toward peace and unity.

Cross-References

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” (2 Corinthians 5:18)
“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,” (Ephesians 1:22)
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,” (Ephesians 4:1)
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19)

Language Study

The key words in this verse in the original Greek language include:

Ambassadors (πρεσβεύομεν, presbeuomen): Refers to those who act as representatives or envoys.
Beseech (παρακαλοῦντος, parakalountos): Implies earnestly asking, inviting, or urging.
Reconciled (καταλλάγητε, katallagēte): To change or exchange, especially in relation to restoring a relationship.

Understanding these original terms deepens the comprehension of the roles and actions highlighted in the verse.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of ambassadors or envoys existed in various ancient cultures, including the Roman and Greek empires where emissaries would represent their rulers and communicate their will. In religious contexts, similar concepts are present in various traditions where certain individuals are seen as representatives or intermediaries between the divine and humans.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly give rise to scientific discussions, the notions of reconciliation and relationship-building are supported by research in psychology and sociology, which affirm the importance of resolution and healthy relationships for emotional and societal well-being.

Commentaries

Commentators provide varied insights on this verse:

John Calvin: He noted the dignity of the ministers’ office, which should be held in high regard due to its divine nature as a representation of God.
Matthew Henry: He highlighted the gracious offer from God to sinners, stressing that the ambassadors are not the ones that can reconcile, but rather God, through Jesus Christ, who does so.
Barnes’ Notes: The commentary discusses the weighty responsibility of being an ambassador for Christ, emphasizing the important role of such a person in influencing others towards reconciliation with God.