2 Corinthians 5:20

ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ οὖν πρεσβεύομεν κ. τ. λ.: we are ambassadors therefore, sc., because to us has been committed the Ministry of Reconciliation, on behalf of Christ, as Christ's representative (see on 2 Corinthians 5:15 above for the force of ὑπέρ), as though God were entreating by us (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:1 and see on 2 Corinthians 1:4). The construction of ὡς followed by a genitive absolute is found also at 1 Corinthians 4:18; 2 Peter 1:3. δεόμεθα ὑπέρ Χρ. κ. τ. λ.: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, Be ye reconciled to God. The imperative καταλλάγητε is much more emphatic than the infinitive καταλλαγῆναι (see crit. note) would be; all through we perceive the Apostle's anxiety that the Corinthians should turn from the sin which beset them, whatever it might be in any individual case (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3). Note that the appeal, “Be ye reconciled to God,” is based on the fact (2 Corinthians 5:18) that God has already “reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ”.