This is an inference from what precedes. Noio then (ow, therefore). ' Seeing that God in Christ is reconciled, and that he has commissioned us to make known this great truth, it follows that we, as preachers of the gospel, are ambassadors of Christ.' An ambassador is at once a messenger and a representative. He does not speak in his own name. He does not act on his own authority. What he communi- cates is not his o^ti opinions or demands, but simply what he has been told or commissioned to say. His message derives no part of its importance or trustworthiness from him. At the same time he is more than a mere messenger. He represents his sovereign. He speaks with authority, as ac- credited to act in the name of his master. Any neglect, con- tempt or injury done to him in his official character, is Bot a personal offence, but an offetfce to the sovereign or state by whom he is commissioned. All this is true of ministers. They are messengers. They communicate what they have re- ceived, not their own speculations or doctrines. What they announce derives its importance not from them, but from him who sends them. Nevertheless, as they speak in Christ's name and by his authority, as he hath ordained the ministry and calls men by his Spirit into the sacred office, the rejec- tion of their message is the rejection of Christ, and any injury done unto them as ministers is done unto him.
J^or Christ, vrrkp XpLo-Tov, this may mean either ' in Christ's stead,' as his substitute and representative ; or, ' in Christ's behalf,' for his sake, to promote his interests by furthering the accomplishment of the object for which he died ; as in Eph. 6, 20, the apostle, speaking of the gospel, says, v-n-ep ov 7rpco-/5ci;a>, for which I act as cm ambassador. The latter sense is good, and is in accordance with the common force of the preposition. The former, however, is better suited to the context. To act as an ambassador for any one, is to act in his name or as his representative. And in the following explanatory clause it is said, ' God beseeches you by us,' where the idea of substitu- tion is clearly expressed. The clause, as thoucjh God did be- seech you by us, is commonly connected with what precedes. 'We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.' That is, ' We are the ambassadors of Christ, be- cause it is God that speaks through us ; or, we speak in his name.' Beza and others connect the words Avith the follow ing clause. ' We are the ambassadors of Christ,' here is the pause, and then follows as one clause, 'As thougli God did