“…that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 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. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20, NKJV)

The term “reconciliation” applied especially to relations between people; but here, it is between people and God. It presupposes repentance and atonement by Christ’s death.

An “ambassador” was a representative of one state or country to another, usually applied in this period to the emperor’s official emissary or envoy in the East. This image fits “apostles” as appointed messengers. In the context of a plea for reconciliation, Paul as an ambassador urges the Corinthians to make peace with God the King.

God is not inclined to charge our transgressions to us; he has no pleasure in doing it; and therefore he has provided a plan by which we may be pardoned and be reconciled to him. Unless our sins are pardoned, justice will charge our sins to us, and will demand extreme punishment.

God has removed all the obstacle to reconciliation which existed on his part. He has done all that he will do, all that needed to be done, in order to render reconciliation easy as possible. And now it remains that we should lay aside our hostility, abandon our sins, and become reconciled to God.

Having reconciled to God, he then sends us out to preach the message of reconciliation to others, so that other sinners might be brought to God as well.

Sources:

Keener, Craig S. The IVP BibleBackground Commentary. New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

MySword for Android. Riversoft Ministry, 2011-2019.

Olive Tree Bible Software, 1998-2020.

http://www.biblegateway.com

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