The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, because we know what it is to fear the Lord, we persuade others. What we are is known to God, and I hope that it is known in your consciences as well. 12 [fn]For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but we are giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearances and not about matters of the heart. 13 If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we have concluded that [fn]if one died for all, then all have died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live may no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for [fn]them and was raised.

16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, we no longer know him in that way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, [fn]all things have become new. 18 And all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through [fn]Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's trespasses against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: “Be reconciled to God.” 21 [fn]For God made him who did not know sin to be a sin offering for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

6 As God's fellow workers, we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

“At a favorable time I listened to yoʋ,

and in a day of salvation I helped yoʋ.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; now is the day of salvation. 3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that our ministry may not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 through glory and dishonor, through bad report and good report; regarded as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not put to death; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

11 O Corinthians, we have spoken freely to you; our hearts have been opened wide. 12 You are not restricted by us, but by your own affections. 13 Now in return—I am speaking as I would to my own children—open your hearts to us.