Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writing to the Corinthian congregation, mid-argument on reconciliation (5:18–21), positioning himself and co-workers as the channel through which God's appeal reaches them.
The words — πρεσβεὺομεν (presbeuomen), "we are ambassadors," present tense: not a past act but an ongoing role. ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ (huper Christou), "on behalf of Christ," the preposition marking representation rather than mere mention.
The thread — The mediator-in-between motif recurs in Malachi 2:7 (priest preserving knowledge between God and people) and Luke 14:23 (servant sent to compel guests in); Paul's own self-designation in Ephesians 6:20 ("an ambassador in chains") echoes the same office under different circumstances.
Why it lands — The verse ends in an imperative directed at the reader: "Be reconciled to God." It is not a description of a state but a summons to one, and the ambassador's authority is borrowed, not his own.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
- Luke 14:23 So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.
- Malachi 2:7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
- Ezekiel 18:31 Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?
- Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
- Luke 10:16 Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
- John 20:21 Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:11 Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6 And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- Acts 26:17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them