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Lent · Ash Wednesday · Year C

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

The Ministry of Reconciliation

March 1, 2028

Saint Paul, James Tissot
Saint Paul, James Tissot, 1886–1894Brooklyn Museum, New York
The apostle Paul stands in a plain doorway, an old man with a long white beard, his hands folded and his eyes lowered.As servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments … as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.James TissotA French society painter who turned to religion and travelled to Palestine to paint the life of Christ where it happened.Brooklyn Museum, New YorkNew York’s second largest museum, holding a celebrated Egyptian collection and Tissot’s entire Bible series.Brooklyn Museum, New York
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 6:1-6, 16-21Mt 6:1-6, 16-21
Epistle2 Cor. 5:20b-6:102 Cor 5:20b-6:10
Old TestamentJoel 2:12-19Jl 2:12-19
PsalterPs. 51:1-13 (14-19)Ps 51:1-13 (14-19)

Overview & Insights

“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

In this section, Paul draws a conclusion (note the “therefore,” Since, then [oun] , in v. 11) to the previous discussion. He rejects the opponents’ physical criterion for assessing the legitimacy of his apostolic office and seeks instead to establish valid, internal criteria.

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Commentary

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10Commentary on 2 Cor 5:20b-6:10 Working Preacher

Working Preacher's Ash Wednesday commentary on the reconciliation passage.

2 Corinthians 5 Commentary2 Cor 5 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Guzik's exposition of the ministry of reconciliation and Paul's hardship list.

2 Corinthians 5 Commentary2 Cor 5 Commentary StudyLight

An index of classic commentaries on the chapter's reconciliation theme.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Commentaries2 Cor 5:20 Commentaries BibleHub

Verse-level commentary on Paul's plea to be reconciled to God.

Charity, Ash Wednesday Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

A sermon on this text's call to discipleship through prayer, fasting, and generosity.

Background & Word Study

2 Corinthians 5 Interlinear2 Cor 5 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text and parsing for katallage (reconciliation) and related terms.

2 Corinthians Overview2 Cor Overview BibleProject

A video overview of the letter's argument about weakness and new creation.

The Church Fathers

2 Corinthians 5 Catena2 Cor 5 Catena Catena

Patristic comment on Paul becoming sin for us so we might become God's righteousness.

Worship & Prayers

Ash Wednesday Propers The Lectionary Page

The day's collect and full reading set for service planning.

Questions preachers ask

What is the ministry of reconciliation?

God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself and has entrusted that message to his servants, who appeal, now is the favorable day of salvation.

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