What does it mean to "implore you on behalf of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 5:20? Setting the Scene 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.” Ambassadors with an Urgent Plea • Paul speaks as an “ambassador,” a royal envoy carrying the King’s exact words. • The phrase “as though God were making His appeal through us” shows that God Himself is speaking when the gospel is proclaimed. • “We implore you” signals an earnest, heartfelt summons, not a casual suggestion. The Weight of the Word “Implore” • Greek: deomai — to beg, plead, entreat with deep emotion. • Not mere information transfer; it is a Spirit-driven appeal that reaches conscience and heart. • Similar intensity appears in Luke 5:12, where a leper “fell facedown and begged (deomai) Him, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’” On Behalf of Christ—Divine Authority • The plea carries Christ’s full authority; rejecting it equals rejecting Christ (Luke 10:16). • The messenger’s personality fades; Christ’s voice is heard (John 20:21: “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”). • The imploring is a tangible expression of Christ’s own desire that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). The Heart of the Message: Be Reconciled to God • Reconciliation restores friendship where hostility once stood (Colossians 1:21-22). • The only route is through Christ’s substitutionary death (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Salvation is not automatic; it must be received by faith (John 1:12). • The urgency stems from the fleeting nature of life (James 4:14) and the certainty of judgment (Hebrews 9:27). How This Shapes Our Lives Today • For unbelievers: – Recognize the seriousness of the appeal. – Respond without delay; “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). • For believers: – Adopt the same earnest tone when sharing the gospel. – Depend on the Holy Spirit to press the message home (Acts 1:8). – Live consistently with the King we represent (Philippians 1:27). Scriptures that Echo the Same Urgency • Acts 2:40: “With many other words he testified, and he urged them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’” • Romans 12:1: “Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices…” • Ezekiel 18:32: “For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death… so repent and live!” To “implore you on behalf of Christ” is to convey Christ’s own earnest, authoritative, compassionate plea: lay down your rebellion, trust His finished work, and enter restored fellowship with God—today. |
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