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2 Corinthians 5

2 Cor. 5:20 KJV (With Strong’s)

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Now then
oun (Greek #3767)
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
KJV usage: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
Pronounce: oon
Origin: apparently a primary word
we are ambassadors
presbeuo (Greek #4243)
to be a senior, i.e. (by implication) act as a representative (figuratively, preacher)
KJV usage: be an ambassador.
Pronounce: pres-byoo'-o
Origin: from the base of 4245
r for
huper (Greek #5228)
"over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than
KJV usage: (+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.
Pronounce: hoop-er'
Origin: a primary preposition
Christ
Christos (Greek #5547)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
KJV usage: Christ.
Pronounce: khris-tos'
Origin: from 5548
, as though
hos (Greek #5613)
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV usage: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
Pronounce: hoce
Origin: probably adverb of comparative from 3739
God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
did beseech
parakaleo (Greek #3870)
to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
KJV usage: beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.
Pronounce: par-ak-al-eh'-o
Origin: from 3844 and 2564
you by
dia (Greek #1223)
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
KJV usage: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Pronounce: dee-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act
us
hemon (Greek #2257)
of (or from) us
KJV usage: our (company), us, we.
Pronounce: hay-mone'
Origin: genitive case plural of 1473
: we pray
deomai (Greek #1189)
to beg (as binding oneself), i.e. petition
KJV usage: beseech, pray (to), make request. Compare 4441.
Pronounce: deh'-om-ahee
Origin: middle voice of 1210
you in
huper (Greek #5228)
"over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than
KJV usage: (+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.
Pronounce: hoop-er'
Origin: a primary preposition
Christ’s stead
Christos (Greek #5547)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
KJV usage: Christ.
Pronounce: khris-tos'
Origin: from 5548
, be ye reconciled
katallasso (Greek #2644)
to change mutually, i.e. (figuratively) to compound a difference
KJV usage: reconcile.
Pronounce: kat-al-las'-so
Origin: from 2596 and 236
to God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
.
r
Job 33:23• 23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his duty; (Job 33:23)
;
Mal. 2:7• 7For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and at his mouth they seek the law; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts. (Mal. 2:7)
;
Eph. 6:20• 20for which I am an ambassador bound with a chain, that I may be bold in it as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:20)

More on:

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Christ,
God

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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ambassadors.
2 Cor. 3:6• 6who has also made us competent, as ministers of the new covenant; not of letter, but of spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit quickens. (2 Cor. 3:6)
;
Job 33:23• 23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his duty; (Job 33:23)
;
Prov. 13:17• 17A wicked messenger falleth into evil; but a faithful ambassador is health. (Prov. 13:17)
;
Mal. 2:7• 7For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and at his mouth they seek the law; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts. (Mal. 2:7)
;
John 20:21• 21Jesus said therefore again to them, Peace be to you: as the Father sent me forth, I also send you. (John 20:21)
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Acts 26:17‑18• 17taking thee out from among the people, and the nations, to whom *I* send thee,
 18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:17‑18)
;
Eph. 6:20• 20for which I am an ambassador bound with a chain, that I may be bold in it as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:20)
as.
2 Cor. 5:11• 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men, but have been manifested to God, and I hope also that we have been manifested in your consciences. (2 Cor. 5:11)
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2 Cor. 6:1• 1But as fellow-workmen, we also beseech that ye receive not the grace of God in vain: (2 Cor. 6:1)
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2 Kings 17:13• 13And Jehovah testified against Israel and against Judah, by all the prophets, all the seers, saying, Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments, my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through my servants the prophets. (2 Kings 17:13)
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2 Chron. 36:15• 15And Jehovah the God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending; because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling-place. (2 Chron. 36:15)
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Neh. 9:29• 29And thou testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law; but they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thine ordinances (which if a man do, he shall live in them); and they withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear. (Neh. 9:29)
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Isa. 55:6‑7• 6Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.
 7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isa. 55:6‑7)
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Jer. 44:4• 4And I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing which I hate! (Jer. 44:4)
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Ezek. 18:31‑32• 31Cast away from you all your transgressions wherewith ye have transgressed, and make you a new heart and a new spirit: why then will ye die, house of Israel?
 32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah; therefore turn ye and live. (Ezek. 18:31‑32)
in.
Job 33:6• 6Behold, before *God I am as thou; I also am formed out of the clay. (Job 33:6)
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Luke 10:16• 16He that hears you hears me; and he that rejects you rejects me; and he that rejects me rejects him that sent me. (Luke 10:16)
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1 Cor. 4:4‑5• 4For I am conscious of nothing in myself; but I am not justified by this: but he that examines me is the Lord.
 5So that do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord shall come, who shall also both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall make manifest the counsels of hearts; and then shall each have his praise from God. (1 Cor. 4:4‑5)
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1 Thess. 4:8• 8He therefore that in this disregards his brother, disregards, not man, but God, who has given also his Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thess. 4:8)
be.
Job 22:21• 21Reconcile thyself now with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. (Job 22:21)
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Prov. 1:22‑33• 22How long, simple ones, will ye love simpleness, and scorners take pleasure in their scorning, and the foolish hate knowledge?
 23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour forth my spirit unto you, I will make known to you my words.
 24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one regarded;
 25and ye have rejected all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
 26I also will laugh in your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh;
 27when your fear cometh as sudden destruction, and your calamity cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you:
 28--then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, and shall not find me.
 29Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Jehovah;
 30they would none of my counsel, they despised all my reproof:
 31therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their way, and be filled with their own devices.
 32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall cause them to perish.
 33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be at rest from fear of evil. (Prov. 1:22‑33)
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Isa. 27:5• 5Or let him take hold of my strength; let him make peace with me: yea, let him make peace with me. (Isa. 27:5)
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Jer. 13:16‑17• 16Give glory to Jehovah your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the mountains of twilight; and ye shall look for light, but he will turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
 17And if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Jehovah's flock is gone into captivity. (Jer. 13:16‑17)
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Jer. 38:20• 20And Jeremiah said, They shall not give thee over. Hearken, I beseech thee, unto the voice of Jehovah, in that which I speak unto thee; so shall it be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. (Jer. 38:20)
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Luke 14:23• 23And the lord said to the bondman, Go out into the ways and fences and compel to come in, that my house may be filled; (Luke 14:23)
• Notice the omission of the “you” in verse 20 of our chapter. “Did beseech by us”: there is the verb only without the pronoun: he is saying how he preaches to the world, begging them to be reconciled. What he says is, “when I preach the gospel, this is what I do”: of course it means to the world. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 5” by J.N. Darby)
• But such an embassy supposed the absence of Christ; His ambassador acted in His stead. (“2 Corinthians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• It should be observed that, in verse 20, the word “you” ought to be omitted. It was the way in which the Apostle fulfilled his ministry to the world. (“2 Corinthians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• God as it were (it was not meet to speak absolutely) beseeching by us: we entreat on behalf, or instead, of Christ, Be reconciled to God. Such is the gospel call to the world. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 5:18-21” by W. Kelly)
• The messengers—“We are ambassadors.” The means—“God did beseech by us.” The message—“Be reconciled to God.” (“Reasons for This Session: 2 Corinthians 5:9-10” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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We are ambassadors therefore for Christ, God as it wereg beseeching by us, we entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God.

JND Translation Notes

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"As of God beseeching"; "as though," or "as if," is too much similarity or comparison. God being in Christ, and they Christ's ambassadors, they besought on God's behalf. He was as beseeching by them. The apostle will not say God was beseeching, but softens it by "as it were." yet it amounted to that, as done on his behalf. It is difficult to translate, though the sense is most evident and beautiful.

W. Kelly Translation

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For Christ then we are ambassadors, God as it were beseeching by us, we entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God: