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2 Corinthians 5

2 Cor. 5:20 KJV (With Strong’s)

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20
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•  (Job 33:23)
;
Mal. 2:7•  (Mal. 2:7)
;
Eph. 6:20• 20for which I am an ambassador in chain[s], that in it I may be bold 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 also made us competent [as] servants of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit, for the letter killeth but the spirit quickeneth. (2 Cor. 3:6)
;
Job 33:23•  (Job 33:23)
;
Prov. 13:17•  (Prov. 13:17)
;
Mal. 2:7•  (Mal. 2:7)
;
John 20:21• 21He said therefore to them again, Peace to you: according as the Father hath sent me forth, I also send you. (John 20:21)
;
Acts 26:17‑18• 17taking thee out from the people and from the Gentiles unto whom I send thee,
 18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness unto light and the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among those that are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:17‑18)
;
Eph. 6:20• 20for which I am an ambassador in chain[s], that in it I may be bold as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:20)
as.
2 Cor. 5:11• 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men; but we have been manifested to God, and I hope also to have been manifested in your consciences. (2 Cor. 5:11)
;
2 Cor. 6:1• 1And working together we also beseech that ye receive not in vain the grace of God (2 Cor. 6:1)
;
2 Kings 17:13•  (2 Kings 17:13)
;
2 Chron. 36:15•  (2 Chron. 36:15)
;
Neh. 9:29•  (Neh. 9:29)
;
Isa. 55:6‑7•  (Isa. 55:6‑7)
;
Jer. 44:4•  (Jer. 44:4)
;
Ezek. 18:31‑32•  (Ezek. 18:31‑32)
in.
Job 33:6•  (Job 33:6)
;
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)
;
1 Cor. 4:4‑5• 4Nay, I do not examine even myself, for I am conscious to myself of nothing, yet I am not justified by this, but he that examineth me is the Lord.
 5So then judge nothing prematurely until the Lord shall have come, who shall both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall make manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then shall each have his praise from God. (1 Cor. 4:4‑5)
;
1 Thess. 4:8• 8Wherefore then he that disregardeth disregardeth not man but God that [also] gave his Holy Spirit unto you. (1 Thess. 4:8)
be.
Job 22:21•  (Job 22:21)
;
Prov. 1:22‑33•  (Prov. 1:22‑33)
;
Isa. 27:5•  (Isa. 27:5)
;
Jer. 13:16‑17•  (Jer. 13:16‑17)
;
Jer. 38:20•  (Jer. 38:20)
;
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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g
"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: