SUMMARY
As ambassadors for the MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified... More, we announce God’s appeal for reconciliation, which is rooted in the interchange whereby the sinless Messiah became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. With PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More, we announce that, indeed, now is the day of salvationSalvation can mean saved from something (deliverance) or for something (redemption). Paul preached that salvation comes through the death of Christ on the cross which redeemed sinners from death and for a grace-filled life. More!
ANALYSIS
Given his depiction of our call to a service and word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:14-19), Paul now says that we are the Messiah’s “ambassadors.” Through us, God is making God’s appeal to reconciliation—announcing the release from idolatrous and unjust powers, and healing from them that we have in the Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:20a). Given speech through us, Paul now appeals directly to his readers, both ancient and contemporary: “We entreat you on behalf of the Messiah, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20b).
At the heart of this appeal is the death and resurrection of the Messiah (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). In an interchange, JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More, who was sinless, was made sin on our behalf—taking on the deleterious effects of our idolatry and injustice—so that, in him, we might become the very righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; cf. Galatians 3:13-14). Paul here is drawing on the vivid depiction of the work of the Suffering Servant in IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century BCE (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)--preachers who boldly proclaimed God's word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time. More, whereby, “The righteousA righteous person is one who is ethical and faithful to God's covenant. Righteousness in the Old Testament is an attitude of God; in the New Testament it is a gift of God through grace. In the New Testament righteousness is a relationship with God... More one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities”; in turn, “he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressor” (Isaiah 53:11a-12). In other words, because through his crucifixion, the Messiah Jesus became the WisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... More from God for us, so now we are enabled through him to experience and embody his “righteousness and sanctificationSanctification means to be set aside for a special purpose. The coming of the Holy Spirit sanctified the disciples and the people of God and made it possible for believers to grow in grace through the covenant of their baptism. More and redemption” for the world around us (1 Corinthians 1:30; cf. Romans 3:21-26).
As a result of this interchange, we are now the Messiah’s coworkers. Thus, Paul urges his readers not to receive this graceGrace is the unmerited gift of God's love and acceptance. In Martin Luther's favorite expression from the Apostle Paul, we are saved by grace through faith, which means that God showers grace upon us even though we do not deserve it. More in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). He quotes a passage from Isaiah—”In a time of favor I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you” (Isaiah 49:8). And, echoing his previous discussion about the old passing way, and everything becoming new (2 Corinthians 5:17), he says, “See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
RELATED PASSAGES
Isaiah 49:8-26 – Zion’s Children Brought Home
Isaiah 53:4-12 – The Suffering Servant
Romans 3:21-26 – The Righteousness of God Manifested in Jesus Christ
Galatians 3:13–14 – The Messiah Became Curse for Us