2Corinthians:5:19-21

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rwp @2Corinthians:5:19 @{To wit , that } (\h “s hoti \). Latin puts it _quoniam quidem_ . It is an unclassical idiom , but occurs in the papyri and inscriptions (Moulton , _Prol_ ., p . 212 ; Robertson , _Grammar_ , p . 1033 ). It is in strkjv @Esther:4:14 |. See also strkjv @2Corinthians:11:21 ; strkjv @2Thessalonians:2:2 |. It probably means "how that ." {Not reckoning } (\m ˆ logizomenos \). What Jesus did (his death for us ) stands to our credit (Romans:8:32 |) if we make our peace with God . This is our task , "the word of reconciliation ," that we may receive "the righteousness of God " and be adopted into the family of God . rwp @2Corinthians:5:20 @{We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ } (\huper Christou oun presbeuomen \). Old word from \presbus \, an old man , first to be an old man , then to be an ambassador (here and strkjv @Ephesians:6:20 | with \en halus ˆi \ in a chain added ), common in both senses in the Greek . "The proper term in the Greek East for the Emperor 's Legate " (Deissmann , _Light from the Ancient East_ , p . 374 ), in inscriptions and papyri . Songs:Paul has a natural pride in using this dignified term for himself and all ministers . The ambassador has to be _persona grata_ with both countries (the one that he represents and the one to which he goes ). Paul was Christ 's _Legate_ to act in his behalf and in his stead . {As though God were intreating by us } (\h “s tou theou parakalountos di ' h ˆm “n \). Genitive absolute with \h “s \ used with the participle as often to give the reason (apparent or real ). Here God speaks through Christ 's Legate . {Be ye reconciled to God } (\katallag ˆte t “i the “i \). Second aorist passive imperative of \katallass “\ and used with the dative case . "Get reconciled to God ," and do it now . This is the ambassador 's message as he bears it to men from God . rwp @2Corinthians:5:21 @{Him who knew no sin } (\ton m ˆ gnonta hamartian \). Definite claim by Paul that Jesus did not commit sin , had no personal acquaintance (\m ˆ gnonta \, second aorist active participle of \gin “sk “\) with it . Jesus made this claim for himself (John:8:46 |). This statement occurs also in strkjv @1Peter:2:22 ; strkjv @Hebrews:4:15 ; strkjv @7:26 ; strkjv @1John:3:5 |. Christ was and is "a moral miracle " (Bernard ) and so more than mere man . {He made to be sin } (\hamartian epoi ˆsen \). The words "to be " are not in the Greek . "Sin " here is the substantive , not the verb . God "treated as sin " the one "who knew no sin ." But he knew the contradiction of sinners (Hebrews:12:3 |). We may not dare to probe too far into the mystery of Christ 's suffering on the Cross , but this fact throws some light on the tragic cry of Jesus just before he died : "My God , My God , why didst thou forsake me ?" (Matthew:27:46 |). {That we might become } (\hina h ˆmeis gen “metha \). Note "become ." This is God 's purpose (\hina \) in what he did and in what Christ did . Thus alone can we obtain God 's righteousness (Romans:1:17 |).

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