Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 5:20

"We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech [you] on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God." — 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ASV)

As proclaimers of the good tidings about reconciliation, the apostles were acting on Christ’s behalf as messengers and representatives duly appointed by him. Furthermore, it was as if God were issuing a personal and direct invitation through them to their hearers to enter into the benefits of the reconciliation already achieved by Christ. “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” summarizes that message of reconciliation.

This appeal issued in Christ’s name is the God-designed link between the objective work of reconciliation and its subjective appropriation by the sinner.

From this viewpoint reconciliation is a continuing process as well as an accomplished fact. Yet there is a real sense in which reconciliation was effected before its results are subjectively felt .