John Bengel Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 5:20

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John Bengel Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 5:20


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2Co 5:20. Ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ, for Christ) Christ the foundation of the embassy sent from God.-πρεσβεύομεν· δεόμεθα, we are ambassadors, [we pray], we beseech) two extremes, as it were, put in antithesis to each other, which relate to the words we have acted without moderation [whether we be beside ourselves, 2Co 5:13]. In antithesis to these, the mean between those extremes is, we exhort [παρακαλοῦμεν, not as Engl. Vers., We beseech], ch. 2Co 6:1, 2Co 10:1, which appertains to the σωφρονοῦμεν, we act with moderation [whether we be sober, 2Co 5:13]. Therefore the discourse of the apostle generally παρακαλεῖ, exhorts; since the expression, πρεσβεύομεν, we are ambassadors, implies majesty, the expression δεόμεθα, we beseech, intimates a submission, which is not of daily occurrence; ch. 2Co 10:2, [comp. 1Th 2:6-7]. In both expressions Paul indicates not so much what he is now doing, as what he is doing in the discharge of all the duties of his office. Ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ, for Christ, is placed before the former verb [though after the latter verb], for the sake of emphasis; comp. the preceding verses. Presently after, the latter verb is placed first for the same reason.-καταλλάγητε, be ye reconciled).