Ambassadors for Christ

Therefore, since we know [what it means] to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. 12 vvv We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances [rather than] in [the] heart.

13 

If we are out of our mind, [it is] for God; if we are of sound mind, [it is] for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, [because] we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. 15 And He died for all, that those who live {should} no longer live for themselves, but for Him [who] died for them and was raised again.

16 

So from now on we regard no one according to [the] flesh. vvv Although we once regarded Christ [in this way] [we do so] no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation.[fn] The old has passed away. Behold, [the] new has come!

18 

All this [is] from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling [the] world to Himself in Christ, not counting [men’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 His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. 21 [God] made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin[fn] vvv on our behalf, so that in Him we might become [the] righteousness of God. 6