And all things, &c. These new things are all of God, the author of them, considered in this view as reconciling us to himself Removing our carnal mind, which was enmity against him, and taking us into his favour; by Jesus Christ Through whose sacrifice and intercession, merits and Spirit, these blessings are obtained. And hath given to us His ministers, and especially to his apostles; the ministry of reconciliation The gospel ministry, offering reconciliation and peace with God to all mankind, and ensuring these privileges to all the truly penitent that believe in Jesus. To wit The sum of which is; that God was in Christ United to him and manifesting himself by him; reconciling the world Which was before at enmity with God; to himself So taking away that enmity which could no otherwise be removed, than by the mediation and grace of the Son of God: not imputing their trespasses unto them Freely forgiving all their sins, Ephesians 1:7; and hath committed unto us As a trust of the highest importance; the word, the message, of reconciliation. We then are ambassadors for Christ Divinely commissioned and sent to treat with you in his name and stead, on a matter of infinite importance to you. As though God did beseech you by us By whom he speaks to you. We pray you in Christ's stead Υπερ Χριστου, or, for Christ's sake; be ye reconciled to God Who is now ready to be reconciled to you, on terms which, if you apply to him, he will enable you to comply with, and thankfully to accept that friendship and protection which he graciously vouchsafes to offer you. Herein the apostle might appear to some transported beyond himself: for in general he uses a more calm, sedate kind of exhortation, as in the beginning of the next chapter. What unparalleled condescension and divinely tender mercies are displayed in this verse! Did the judge ever beseech a condemned criminal to accept of pardon? Does the creditor ever beseech a ruined debtor to receive an acquittance in full? Yet our almighty Lord, and our eternal Judge, not only vouchsafes to offer these blessings, but invites us, entreats us, and with the most tender importunity solicits us not to reject them!
Related Commentaries of 2 Corinthians 5:18
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committedc unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.