NWT 2 Corinthians 5:20

TheListener

In 2 Corinthians 5:20 the NWT says, " We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: "Become reconciled to God."

I could not locate any other Bible translations that have the word "substituting" in the text. The NWT appears to be unique with the way they've decided to word the scripture.

Do you feel that the NWT rendering is acceptable and gets the point across clearly and accurately or do you feel that they've added to the text to support JW doctrine?

Here is what the Emphatic Diaglott has for 2 Corinthians 5:20

Greek: on behalf of anointed therefore we are ambassadors, as if the God beseeching through us; we pray on behalf of anointed, be you reconciled to the God.

English: On behalf of Christ, therefore, we are ambassadors; as if God were inviting through us, we entreat, on behalf of Christ - be you reconciled to God.

Here is what the KIT says:

Greek: Over Christ therefore we are ambassadors as of the God entreating through us; we ae supplicating over Christ, be you reconciled to the God.

English: We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: "Become reconciled to God."

Watchtower information regarding the scripture:

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w99 4/15 p. 30 Do You Remember? ***

Why

is Paul’s expression "ambassadors substituting for Christ" such an appropriate one for anointed Christians? (2 Corinthians 5:20)

In ancient times, ambassadors were dispatched mainly during periods of hostility to see if warfare could be averted. (Luke 14:31, 32) Since the sinful world of mankind is alienated from God, he is sending his anointed ambassadors to inform people of his terms for reconciliation, urging them to seek peace with God.—12/15, page 18.

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w98 12/15 p. 18 par. 10 This Is the Day of Salvation! ***

10

Jehovah has committed the ministry of reconciliation to the anointed, so Paul could say: "We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: ‘Become reconciled to God.’" (2 Corinthians 5:20) In ancient times, ambassadors were dispatched mainly during periods of hostility to see if warfare could be averted. (Luke 14:31, 32) Since the sinful world of mankind is alienated from God, he has sent his anointed ambassadors forth to inform people of his terms for reconciliation. As substitutes for Christ, anointed ones beg: "Become reconciled to God." This entreaty is a merciful urging to seek peace with God and accept the salvation he makes possible through Christ.

carla

To me, it sounds blasphemous. Are they suggesting jw's are acting as Christ today?! In place of Christ? Only the "annointed" I'm assuming. Still sounds blasphemous.

Honesty

*** w98 12/15 p. 18 par. 10 This Is the Day of Salvation! ***

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Jehovah has committed the ministry of reconciliation to the anointed, so Paul could say: "We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: ‘Become reconciled to God.’" (2 Corinthians 5:20) In ancient times, ambassadors were dispatched mainly during periods of hostility to see if warfare could be averted. (Luke 14:31, 32) Since the sinful world of mankind is alienated from God, he has sent his anointed ambassadors forth to inform people of his terms for reconciliation. As substitutes for Christ, anointed ones beg: "Become reconciled to God." This entreaty is a merciful urging to seek peace with God and accept the salvation he makes possible through Christ.

Then He said, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them. Luke 21:8

Christos (Christ) means annointed one.

That should just about identify the WATCHTOWER™ 'annointed'... Deceivers.

candidlynuts

this scripture bugs me too

i looked in every bible translation online and none, other than the NWT uses the word substitute.

moggy lover

Freddy Flintstone Franz obviously took the preposition "Huper" beyond its accepable range of meaning. At 2 Cor 5:20, the grammitical construction "Huper Christou" is called a genitive, and in the genitive, the preposition "Huper" can mean "In behalf of", [in behalf of Christ] but no dictionary I have used ever describes the word "Huper" as meaning "in PLACE of" or "substitute"

But don't worry. Ask the JWs and I am sure they can pull a scholar out of a hat who will agree with their reading. Remember the odious Johannes Greber? Know what he says? :"We appear in CHRIST'S STEAD as his envoys" [emphasis mine]

Need we say more?

Cheers

lovelylil

My NIV tranlates it differenly showing we are ambassadors for Christ, not substitutes for him. Other religions teach the substitute thing too. Most cults and religions that claim they are the only TRUE religion do try to put themselves in Christ's place in the minds of their followers. Good post.

blondie

What I don't like about this scripture the way the NWT renders it, is the way the WTS uses it as a way to separate the "anointed" and the "great crowd" making the great crowd secondary in their relationship with Jesus.

*** w02 11/1 p. 16 Christian Neutrals in the Last Days ***

Paul described himself and fellow anointed Christians as "ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20) Since 1914, spirit-anointed Christians can properly be spoken of as ambassadors for God’s Kingdom, of which they are "sons." (Matthew 13:38; Philippians 3:20; Revelation 5:9, 10) Further, Jehovah has brought out of the nations "a great crowd" of "other sheep," Christians with an earthly hope, to support the anointed sons in their ambassadorial work. (Revelation 7:9; John 10:16) These "other sheep" can be termed "envoys" of God’s Kingdom.

Blondie

lovelylil

Good point blondie,

I totally missed that.

gumby

I guess I'll be the fuddy-dud of the bunch. I see no problem. The word "ambassadors" is the key word....not substitute. All ambassadors "represent" and are substituting for the objective they are representing. All of christ followers were to teacxh and preach christs message since he left the earth. His diciples were "substituting" for him by relating all he did and said. They never claimed to be him nor does the WTBTS.

Gumby.....who ain't no damn dub apologist either *sticks tongue out at everyone*

Justitia Themis

While it is probably not the best word usage, I do not see a problem with it. And, there is a distinction between ambassadors and envoys. Ambassadors can enter into legal contracts on behalf of a king/country. Therefore, they are a "substitute" for the king/country. An envoy has no such legal authority.

NWT 2 Corinthians 5:20

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