Does God Beg (Beseech) People Unto Himself?

[prism]

Thinking of Paul's letters as truly inspired by the Holy Spirit , we read...

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) 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.

...or is it a matter of 'he who has ears, let him hear'?

 

[Arial]

Thinking of Paul's letters as truly inspired by the Holy Spirit , we read...

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) 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.

...or is it a matter of 'he who has ears, let him hear'?

English Standard Version
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Paul is preaching the gospel of reconciliation as an ambassador for Christ---as are all Christians. It is the outward call. "Many are called, but few are chosen." God never begs, he gives grace.

"How will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news." (Romans 10:14-15)

 

[CrowCross]

Thinking of Paul's letters as truly inspired by the Holy Spirit , we read...

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) 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.

...or is it a matter of 'he who has ears, let him hear'?

What is your understanding of the word beseech?

To be honest I had to look it up.

 

[Mr GLee]

Thinking of Paul's letters as truly inspired by the Holy Spirit , we read...

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) 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.

...or is it a matter of 'he who has ears, let him hear'?

A reconciling prayer to God. Hoping God will give his understand as ears to hear the gospel. Having heard our first love (gospel) we can do the first works, empowered by it we can believe God not seen and do what is required . To both will and do.

 

[prism]

What is your understanding of the word beseech?

To be honest I had to look it up.

I'm used to the archaic language of the KJV. It essentially means 'plead with'.

 

[CrowCross]

I'm used to the archaic language of the KJV. It essentially means 'plead with'.

Was that Paul or God doing the pleading in 2 Cor 5:20?

 

[prism]

Was that Paul or God doing the pleading in 2 Cor 5:20?

Both, since all Scripture is inspired by God.

 

[CrowCross]

Both, since all Scripture is inspired by God.

I don't disagree with that...but I don't see how it applies to our discussion.

 

[prism]

I don't disagree with that...but I don't see how it applies to our discussion.

Sorry, but I was responding to your question of "Was that Paul or God doing the pleading in 2 Cor 5:20?"
Why would my answer 'both', not apply?
Maybe it was the question put to me, that didn't apply?

 

[brightfame52]

Thinking of Paul's letters as truly inspired by the Holy Spirit , we read...

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) 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.

...or is it a matter of 'he who has ears, let him hear'?

No He doesnt beg people to Himself. This appeal is to them who are already reconciled to God Vs 18-19 who are already new creatures Vs 17, this is the ministry of the word to convert them to faith, now the words "be ye reconciled to God" is an imperative in the passive voice, so the subjects are being acted upon to bring them to faith in what is already a done deal. This is not God randomly begging people to get saved. They were already His people, Acts 18:10

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city[corinth].

 

[prism]

No He doesnt beg people to Himself. This appeal is to them who are already reconciled to God Vs 18-19 who are already new creatures Vs 17, this is the ministry of the word to convert them to faith, now the words "be ye reconciled to God" is an imperative in the passive voice, so the subjects are being acted upon to bring them to faith in what is already a done deal. This is not God randomly begging people to get saved. They were already His people, Acts 18:10

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city[corinth].

How would you then explain Paul 'reasoning' for lengths of time?...

Acts 17:2 YLT
and according to the custom of Paul, he went in unto them, and for three sabbaths he was reasoning with them from the Writings,

Acts 17:17 YLT
therefore, indeed, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the worshipping persons, and in the market-place every day with those who met with him.

Acts 18:4 YLT
and he was reasoning in the synagogue every sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 19:8-9 YLT
And having gone into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the reign of God, [9] and when certain were hardened and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, having departed from them, he did separate the disciples,[b every day reasoning [/b]in the school of a certain Tyrannus.

 

[CrowCross]

How would you then explain Paul 'reasoning' for lengths of time?...

Acts 17:2 YLT
and according to the custom of Paul, he went in unto them, and for three sabbaths he was reasoning with them from the Writings,

Acts 17:17 YLT
therefore, indeed, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the worshipping persons, and in the market-place every day with those who met with him.

Acts 18:4 YLT
and he was reasoning in the synagogue every sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 19:8-9 YLT
And having gone into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the reign of God, [9] and when certain were hardened and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, having departed from them, he did separate the disciples,[b every day reasoning [/b]in the school of a certain Tyrannus.

One could argue God lays it all out for us..through people like Paul "reasoning" with them....but, many don't get it or perhaps can't get it.

What is needed is a Lydia moment....One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

That is the Lord opened Lydias heart to hear what Paul was reasoning with her. If the Lord didn't open Lydias heart would she have believed Paul?

 

[brightfame52]

@prism

How would you then explain Paul 'reasoning' for lengths of time?...

Why not explain ? He was a preacher duh

 

[prism]

One could argue God lays it all out for us..through people like Paul "reasoning" with them....but, many don't get it or perhaps can't get it.

What is needed is a Lydia moment....One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

That is the Lord opened Lydias heart to hear what Paul was reasoning with her. If the Lord didn't open Lydias heart would she have believed Paul?

or a Peter moment...

Matthew 16:17 (KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 

[prism]

@prism



Why not explain ? He was a preacher duh

It may be a 'duh' to you but most Calvinist preachers (especially hyper-Calvinist preachers) won't spend 3 months persuading. After the first day or two, they'll just walk away mumbling something like. "I guess they just aren't one of the elect."

 

[brightfame52]

It may be a 'duh' to you but most Calvinist preachers (especially hyper-Calvinist preachers) won't spend 3 months persuading. After the first day or two, they'll just walk away mumbling something like. "I guess they just aren't one of the elect."

Its his calling to explain the Gospel, thats how the elect hear and be converted, if they arent the elect, Gods purpose was still done to the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, the Gospel to them was a Savor of death unto death 2 Cor 2 15-16

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

 

[prism]

Its his calling to explain the Gospel, thats how the elect hear and be converted, if they arent the elect, Gods purpose was still done to the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, the Gospel to them was a Savor of death unto death 2 Cor 2 15-16

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

So it takes Paul 3 months to explain the Gospel? (Acts 19:8)

 

[brightfame52]

So it takes Paul 3 months to explain the Gospel? (Acts 19:8)

He actually stayed for 2 yrs performing his ministry, try reading on vs 10

10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

 

[CrowCross]

It may be a 'duh' to you but most Calvinist preachers (especially hyper-Calvinist preachers) won't spend 3 months persuading. After the first day or two, they'll just walk away mumbling something like. "I guess they just aren't one of the elect."

I think a calvinist preacher goes into a conversation with the belief that who they are talking to is of the elect and the Father might use this conversation to allow them to understand the gift of salvation just given to them.

If they walk away it's not because they are not of the elect...but there is the concept of not being the time of their salvation...but, perhaps later.

 

[prism]

He actually stayed for 2 yrs performing his ministry, try reading on vs 10

10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

So ok, it took Paul two years to 'reason through and convince others of the Gospel? So much for 'those with ears let him hear'.