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Lenten Season · Ash Wednesday · Year C

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

The Ministry of Reconciliation

March 1, 2028

The Meeting of Esau and Jacob, Giovanni Maria Bottala
The Meeting of Esau and Jacob, Giovanni Maria Bottala, c. 1630sPinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna
The two brothers meeting in the open with both households crowded behind them, the children and the animals pressing in at the edges of it.Paul's ministry of reconciliation is not a theory here but two brothers in each other's arms, with the armed men behind them standing down.Giovanni Maria BottalaBottala, a young Genoese painter in Rome, who put the two families into the picture rather than only the two men.Pinacoteca Nazionale, BolognaThe Pinacoteca Nazionale in Bologna.Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna
Revised Common 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 2:1-2, 12-17Jl 2:1-2, 12-17 orIsa. 58:1-12Is 58:1-12
PsalterPs. 51:1-17Ps 51:1-17

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 exegesis of Paul's reconciliation appeal and the 'now' of salvation.

2 Corinthians 5 - David Guzik2 Cor 5 - David Guzik Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse treatment of reconciliation and new creation in chapter 5.

2 Corinthians 5 Commentary2 Cor 5 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed word studies on 'ambassador,' 'reconciliation,' and 'new creation.'

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

Classic commentary aggregation on the ambassador appeal that opens the passage.

2 Corinthians 5 (Barnes' Notes)2 Cor 5 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on reconciliation, sin-bearing, and righteousness in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Interlinear2 Cor 5:20 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text and parsing for katallage (reconciliation) and the hardship list in chapter 6.

Background & Word Study

2 Corinthians Video Overview2 Cor Video Overview BibleProject

Overview video tracing Paul's argument about suffering and hope through the letter.

The Church Fathers

2 Corinthians 5 - Catena Aurea2 Cor 5 - Catena Aurea Catena

Patristic comments on the ambassador image and 'becoming sin' for our sake.

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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