Read & explore together
Ambassadors for Christ
Paul explains why he speaks so strongly and what God has done through Christ. This part of the letter moves from his motive, to the new life believers receive, to the message they are sent to carry.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In these verses, Paul describes his ministry and addresses how he and his co-workers are seen. He contrasts outward appearance with the heart, explains that Christ’s love directs their work, and says God has given them a message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:11–21Main takeaway
Because God reconciles people to himself through Christ, those who are in Christ are new, and they carry his appeal to be reconciled to God.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul’s motive and sincerityPaul says he persuades people because he knows the fear of the Lord. He is not trying to praise himself again, but to give the Corinthians a true answer to people who value outward appearance instead of the heart.
Explanation
Paul says he persuades people because he knows the fear of the Lord. He is not trying to praise himself again, but to give the Corinthians a true answer to people who value outward appearance instead of the heart. Whether he seems extreme or calm, his aim is God’s honour and their good.
02Christ’s death changes how people livePaul says the love of Christ compels them. He explains that Christ died for all, so those who live should no longer live for themselves.
Explanation
Paul says the love of Christ compels them. He explains that Christ died for all, so those who live should no longer live for themselves. Instead, they should live for the one who died and rose again for their sake. This gives a clear reason for a changed direction in life.
03A new way of seeing and a new creationBecause of Christ, Paul says he no longer knows people according to the flesh. He adds that if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation.
Explanation
Because of Christ, Paul says he no longer knows people according to the flesh. He adds that if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old things have passed away, and all things have become new. Paul presents this as a fresh reality for anyone who is in Christ.
04God’s work of reconciliationPaul says all this is from God. God reconciled them to himself through Jesus Christ and gave them the ministry and word of reconciliation.
Explanation
Paul says all this is from God. God reconciled them to himself through Jesus Christ and gave them the ministry and word of reconciliation. He describes this as God reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not reckoning their trespasses to them. The passage explains reconciliation through God’s action of bringing people to himself in Christ.
05Ambassadors with a clear appealPaul says, ‘We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ’. Through them, God is appealing, ‘Be reconciled to God’.
Explanation
Paul says, ‘We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ’. Through them, God is appealing, ‘Be reconciled to God’. He grounds this appeal in what he says about Christ: he knew no sin, yet was made to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does Paul give for speaking and persuading others in this passage?
Look for his motives in the fear of the Lord, the love of Christ, and his desire to help the Corinthians answer people who boast in appearance.
02According to Paul, how should Christ’s death affect the way people live?
Notice the contrast between living for oneself and living for the one who died and rose again.
03What does Paul say God has given to those he has reconciled?
Find both the ministry and the word Paul names after describing God’s reconciling work in Christ.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 5:11–21
11Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.
12For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.
14For the love of Christ compels us; because we judge thus: that one died for all, therefore all died.
15He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.
16Therefore we know no one according to the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
18But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.