2 Corinthians 5:11

The Message of Reconciliation

5:11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, ¹  we try to persuade ²  people, ³  but we are well known ⁴  to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too.

2 Corinthians 5:20

5:20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea ⁵  through us. We plead with you ⁶  on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”

2 Corinthians 6:1

God’s Suffering Servants

6:1 Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ⁷ 

Philemon 1:8-9

Paul’s Request for Onesimus

1:8 So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper, 1:9 I would rather appeal ⁸  to you on the basis of love – I, Paul, an old man ⁹  and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus ¹⁰  –

[5:11]  ¹ tn Or “because we know what it means to fear the Lord.”

[5:11]  ² tn The present tense of πείθομεν (peiqomen) has been translated as a conative present.

[5:11]  ³ tn Grk “men”; but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is generic here since clearly both men and women are in view (Paul did not attempt to win only men to the gospel he preached).

[5:11]  ⁴ tn Or “clearly evident.” BDAG 1048 s.v. φανερόω 2.b.β has “θεῷ πεφανερώμεθα we are well known to God 2 Cor 5:11a, cp. 11b; 11:6 v.l.”

[5:20]  ⁵ tn Or “as though God were begging.”

[5:20]  ⁶ tn Or “we beg you.”

[6:1]  ⁷ tn Or “receive the grace of God uselessly.”

[1:9]  ⁸ tn Or “encourage.”

[1:9]  ⁹ tn Or perhaps “an ambassador” (so RSV, TEV), reading πρεσβευτής for πρεσβύτης (a conjecture proposed by Bentley, cf. BDAG 863 s.v. πρεσβύτης). NRSV reads “old man” and places “ambassador” in a note.

[1:9]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “a prisoner of Christ Jesus.”