2 Corinthians 5:20

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, etc..] Since God has made reconciliation by Christ, and the ministry of it is committed to us, we are ambassadors for him; we come with full powers from him, not to propose terms of peace, to treat with men about it, to offer it to them, but to publish and proclaim it as made by him: we represent him, and God who made it by him, as though God did beseech you by us; to regard this embassy and message of peace, which we bring from him; to consider from whence it takes its rise, what methods have been used to effect it, and how it is accomplished; which should oblige to say and sing with the angels, “glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and good…”

“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 Co2 10:2; Th1 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 emphatic thus: God is reconciled to you, be ye reconciled to God. The Greek expresses rather, God was the RECONCILER in Christ . . . let this reconciliation then have its designed effect. Be reconciled to God, that is, let God reconcile you to…”

“Now 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 πρεσβεύομεν presbeuomen, from πρέσβυς presbus an 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 to explain or enforce it - Bloomfield. See Thucydides 7, 9. An ambassador is a minister of the highest rank, employed by one prince or state at the court of another, to manage the concerns of his own prince or state,…”

“Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ - we beseech you in Christ's stead - Herein the apostle might appear to some "transported beyond himself." In general he uses a more calm, sedate kind of exhortation, as in the beginning of the next chapter. What unparalleled condescension and divinely tender mercies are displayed in this verse! Did the judge ever beseech a condemned criminal to accept of pardon? Does the creditor ever beseech a ruined debtor to receive an acquittance in full? Yet our almighty Lord, and our eternal Judge, not only vouchsafes to offer these blessings, but invites us, entreats us, and, with the most tender importunity, solicits us, not to reject them. 2 Corinthians 5:21”

“5:20 The great privilege of believers is to be Christ’s ambassadors (cp. Eph 6:20). • God is making his appeal through us: Paul doesn’t say that he speaks for God; rather, God speaks his word through us. • Christ’s redeeming work for sinners opens the way for them to “Come back to God!” and be reconciled with him (see Rom 5:1-11; Eph 2:11-22; Col 1:15-23). Christian witness has this appeal at its heart. Paul was also appealing to the rebellious Corinthians to come over to his side (see 2 Cor 6:1).”

“ambassadors: Co2 3:6; Job 33:23; Pro 13:17; Mal 2:7; Joh 20:21; Act 26:17, Act 26:18; Eph 6:20 as: Co2 5:11, Co2 6:1; Kg2 17:13; Ch2 36:15; Neh 9:29; Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Jer 44:4; Eze 18:31, Eze 18:32 in: Job 33:6; Luk 10:16; Co1 4:4, Co1 4:5; Th1 4:8 be: Job 22:21; Pro 1:22-33; Isa 27:5; Jer 13:16, Jer 13:17, Jer 38:20; Luk 14:23 2 Corinthians 5:21”