of the TTorld, or, the Saviour of men, Jesus Salvator Hommum. To reconcile unto hhnsfJJ\ docs not mean to convert, or to render friendly to himself. This is plain first, because this re- conciliation is said to be effected by the death of Christ as a sacrifice ; and secondly, because what follows is not a proof of God's converting the world, but it is a proof of his being propitious. The proof that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ (i. e. in his death) is that he does not impute to men their trespasses, and that he has established the minis- try of reconciliation. The forgiveness of sin and the institu- tion of the ministry are clear evidence that God is propitious. Not to impute sin, is to forgive it. Rom. 4, 5. 2 Tim. 4, 16. In Col. 2, 3 3, the same idea is expressed by saying, ''*hath forgiven you all trespasses." The participle /a^ A-oyt^ojaevog, not hniniting^ is in the present because continuous action is intended ; whereas in the next clause, ^e/xevos, having com- mitted^ is a past participle, because the institution of the min- istry was done once for all. To them^ i. e. to men, as included in the K6(TfJio<;, loorld. When God is said to forgive men it of course does not mean that all men, penitent and impenitent, believing and unbelieving, are forgiven ; but here, as before, the class of beings is indicated towards whom forgiveness is exercised. God is propitious to men, as is manifest by his forgiving their trespasses. And hath committed unto iis^ koL Sc/ji€vo<i iv yjiJuv, i. e. having deposited in us. This may mean, ' having put within us,' i. e. in our souls. Or the idea may be, 'having placed upon us.' If the former, then the following- words, Tov Xoyov TTJ^ KaraAAay)}?, must mean ' the doctrine of reconcihation.' That is, God hath instructed us apostles in the doctrine of reconciliation. If the latter, then the clause just quoted means, 'the word of reconcihation,' i. e. the jji-eaching of reconciliation, as in 1 Cor. 1, 18, 6 Aoyog tov o-rav- pov means ' the preaching of the cross.' This latter view is to be preferred. The evidence that the death of Christ has been accepted as an expiation for sin, of infinite value and efficiency, is the fact that God hath commissioned his ministers to an- nounce to all men that God is reconciled and ready to forgive, so that whosoever will may turn unto him and live.
20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech (you) by us -. we pray (you) in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.