Community Bible Study
“we are ambassadors for Christ” To whom does the “we” and “you” in this verse refer? Is Paul speaking to the church? If so, the “we” is Paul and his missionary team and the “you,” believers at Corinth. These people did not need to be saved, but they did need to be brought back into unity.
Notice that Paul does not say believers should be ambassadors, but that they are ambassadors. This is similar to Jesus’ statements in Matt. 5:13–16. Believers are salt and light. The question is what kind of salt and light they will be. This is the question here. Believers are Christ’s representatives, but what kind of ambassadors are they: factious, heretical, unloving, etc.?
© “beg” See full note at 1:4–11.
© “be reconciled to God” This is a PRESENT PASSIVE IMPERATIVE. Is this a command to lost people or to saved people? The larger context is mandating an appropriate lifestyle on the part of believers. Jesus saved us from sin and strife; we are saved to serve! We are called to Christlike ministry, not personal agendas.
This context has a message to a lost, needy world—Christ died for you (positional righteousness). This context has a message for a factious, unloving church—Christ died for you (progressive righteousness).
The PASSIVE VOICE could be translated “let God reconcile you to Himself”; “allow yourselves to be reconciled” (cf. The Jerome Biblical Commentary, p. 281); or “let God change you from enemies into his friends” (cf. TEV). Believers proclaim the truth, the Spirit convicts the lost, the Son provides the means, and the Father accomplishes His will through covenant response.
He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” A lost world is not on the doorstep of a powerless, loveless God, but is on the doorstep of an apathetic, unconcerned church. We have the message; we have the keys of the Kingdom (cf. Matt. 16:19; Rev. 1:18; 3:7). We have the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:9, 11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Tim. 1:14). We have the marching orders of Jesus (cf. Matt. 28:18–20). What will we do?
- the question
Ver. 9.—Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? It does not follow from this inquiry that the writer is a “young man”—rather the reverse. He is anxious to give advice to young men, which is naturally the part of one somewhat advanced in life. By taking heed thereto, according to thy Word. This is the answer to the question raised in clause 1. By looking to God’s Word, and guiding himself thereby, the young man may “cleanse his way”—not otherwise.
- plea for help
Ver. 10.—With my whole heart have I sought thee (comp. ver. 2). O let me not wander from thy commandments; i.e. “let me not accidentally and through ignorance stray from the right path.”
- the promise
Ver. 11.—Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee; rather, thy promise (imrah). To have God’s word of promise laid up in the heart is the only security against being surprised into sin.
One is said to hide (צָפַן) the word in one’s heart when one has it continually present with him, not merely as an outward precept, but as an inward motive power in opposition to selfish action (Job 23:12).