G4243 πρεσβεύω (presbeúō)

Are ambassadors (4243) (presbeuo from présbus = an old man, an aged person, elder, an ambassador) is a verb which means to be an elder, to be/work as an ambassador. The basic idea is to "to function as a representative of a ruling authority” (Louw & Nida) This term is an apt one, for ambassadors in ancient times were usually older, experienced men. Presbeuo was used in the first century to describe the emperor’s legates (generals or governors of Roman province in the first century). Murray Harris adds that the word group presbeuo/presbus... was used of the emperor’s legates and of embassies between towns. The corresponding NT noun, presbeia, refers to an “embassy” or “delegation”; or, as an abstract for a concrete noun, “ambassador(s)” (Lk 14:32; 19:14). To be an ambassador in the ancient world (Greek, Roman, or Jewish), as in modern times, involved three things: (1) a commissioning for a special assignment; (2) representing the sender; and (3) exercising the authority of the sender. It was universally expected that an ambassador, whatever his message and however delicate or risky his mission, would be treated with respect and dignity, accorded appropriate hospitality, and guaranteed a safe exit. There was what Philo calls a “law with regard to ambassadors” (De Vita Mosis 1.25), for the envoy represented the messenger and acted on his behalf and in his place, thus embodying his authority. To disregard or insult the envoy was to disregard or insult the sender (Ed: Read of the prophesied lot of ambassadors of cp Jn 15:19, 20). (International Greek Testament) (Logos) Comment: Ambassadors of Christ will not always be welcomed in this present world with is for the most part radically opposed to God's truth and message of reconciliation for as Christ has warned... If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (Jn 15:19, 20) I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (Jn 17:14) Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. (Mt 10:34, 35, 36) The present tense indicates that this privileged position of as Christ's ambassador is Paul's (and our) ongoing (continual) duty as long as we are alive. In a sense we are never on "furlough" but are always to be ready to give a defense (apologia) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope (elpis) that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1Pe 3:15-note), "making the most of the opportunity" seeking to "let (our) speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that (we) may know how (we) should respond to each person." (Col 4:5, 6-note) The only other use of presbeuo (it is not found in the Septuagint) is also by Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians where he asks the saints for prayer that he might with boldness make known the mystery (truth once not known but now divinely revealed) of the Gospel (Eph 6:19-note) and then explains why... for which I am an ambassador in chains (He is literally in chains in prison; cp Ep 3:1-note, Eph 4:1-note); that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought ( = Paul pictures himself as continually under obligation to speak forth the Gospel boldly - not out of legalism but out of love for his Master - see 2Co 5:14-note) to speak. (Ephesians 6:20-note) Comment: If one was looking for excuses for not sharing the Gospel as an ambassador for Christ, it would seem Paul had the "perfect excuse" -- "I confined to a jail cell. I'm in prison and in chains." Clearly Paul did not see this as an obstacle but as an opportunity, for as he wrote in Second Timothy "I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the Word of God (the Gospel) is not imprisoned. For this reason (What reason?) I endure all things (What is he enduring?) for the sake of those who are chosen (elect - Paul did not know who they were, so he treated everyone as if they were elect! A good practice regarding a doctrine that tragically too often creates disunity, dissension and division!), that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory." (2Ti 2:9, 10-note) What's my excuse for not being an ambassador for my King, Christ Jesus? We are ambassadors - While Paul is referring to himself (and his associates), as alluded to above, clearly this "job description" applies to all believers. Our duty as those who have been reconciled to God is to speak to others on God’s behalf, telling them that they do not have to remain alienated from Him. As His ambassadors we are given the authority, privilege and power to speak for Him, and we are to speak as if God were speaking through us. And remember that the lost world needs to hear the message of reconciliation (the Gospel), because most are trying to work their way to heaven and are in desperate need for someone commissioned by the God of heaven to tell them the real truth about how to get to heaven! Harris sounds a word of caution regarding ambassadors noting that... for all their exalted status, such persons are not plenipotentiaries (Ed: Those invested with full power); they have not been invested with the full power of independent action, for they deliver rather than create the message and lack any authority to alter that message. John MacArthur (2Corinthians or Logos or Wordsearch) reminds us of our high and holy calling noting that... An ambassador is both a messenger for and a representative of the one who sent him, and believers are messengers and representatives of the court of heaven. And just as an ambassador lives in a foreign land, so also do believers. Though citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20-note), they represent their King in this world, where they live “as aliens and strangers” (1Peter 2:11-note). They proclaim to the lost, perishing rebels of this fallen world the good news that they can be reconciled to the holy King of heaven: For “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (Ro 10:13, 14, 15-note) Guzik... There is so much in the idea of ambassadors! An ambassador does not speak to please his audience, but the King who sent him. An ambassador does not speak on his own authority; his own opinions or demands mean little. He simply says what he has been commissioned to say. But an ambassador is more than a messenger; he is also a representative, and the honor and reputation of his country are in his hands. Webster... An ambassador is a minister of the highest rank, employed by one prince or state at the court of another, to manage the concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the dignity and power of his sovereign. Albert Barnes... We are the ambassadors whom Christ has sent forth to negotiate with men in regard to their reconciliation to God. The word here used (presbeuomen, from presbus, an aged man, an elder, and then an ambassador) means to act as an ambassador, or sometimes merely to deliver a message for another, without being empowered to do any thing more than to explain or enforce it...He is sent to do what the sovereign would himself do were he present. They are sent to make known the will of the sovereign, and to negotiate matters of commerce, of war, or of peace, and in general every thing affecting the interests of the sovereign among the people to whom they are sent. At all times, and in all countries, an ambassador is a sacred character, and his person is regarded as inviolable. He is bound implicitly to obey the instructions of his sovereign, and as far as possible to do only what the sovereign would do were he himself present. Ministers are ambassadors for Christ, as they are sent to do what he would do were he personally present. They are to make known, and to explain, and enforce the terms on which God is willing to be reconciled to men. They are not to negotiate on any new terms, nor to change those which God has proposed, nor to follow their own plans or devices, but they are simply to urge, explain, state, and enforce the terms on which God is willing to be reconciled. Of course they are to seek the honour of the sovereign who has sent them forth, and to seek to do only his will. They go not to promote their own welfare; not to seek honour, dignity, or emolument; but they go to transact the business which the Son of God would engage in were he again personally on the earth. It follows that their office is one of great dignity, and great responsibility, and that respect should be showed them as the ambassadors of the King of kings. (2 Corinthians 5:20 Commentary) Ray Stedman asks... Why do we send ambassadors? Well, because countries do not always relate to each other very well. Things need to be explained, need to be approached with diplomacy and caution and carefulness. That is what an ambassador is to do. He is to be a representative of a government, handling himself with such care and confidence that the message that his government seeks to convey is given in the most painless and least offensive way possible. Now that is dangerous. You can get yourself killed or taken captive as an ambassador in this world today. God’s ambassador has the ministry of reconciliation (2Co 5:18) and a message of reconciliation (2Co 5:19). We are models of reconciliation (2Co 5:21). Christ (5547) (Christos from chrio = to anoint, rub with oil, consecrate to an office) is the Anointed One, the Messiah, Christos being the Greek equivalent of the transliterated Hebrew word Messiah. In the OT the word "anointed" was closely linked with two offices -- king and high priest. It was prophesied that Jesus, from David's kingly line, would one day hold ultimate authority in our world. As high priest, Jesus offered himself up for us and lives today to make intercession for us. In Jesus' day, then, the Christ was thought of as Israel's deliverer. Spurgeon wrote... As I came along this morning I felt as if I could bury my head in my hands and weep as I thought of God beseeching anybody. He speaks, and it is done. Myriads of angels count themselves happy to fly at his command. And yet man has so become God's enemy that he will not be reconciled to him. God would make him his friend, and spends the blood of his dear Son to cement that friendship, but man will not have it. See how the great God turns to beseeching his obstinate creature! In this I feel a reverent compassion for God. Must he beseech a rebel to be forgiven? Angels, do you hear it? He who is the King of kings veils his sovereignty and stoops to beseeching his creature to be reconciled to him! As though God were making an appeal through us - "God is sending you his invitation through us." (William Barclay) "God Himself Who issues his appeal through our words." (Murray Harris) We are as it were "God's mouth piece" to speak forth His desire to reconcile sinners from their war with God, a war they cannot win in this life or the life to come! Barnes writes... Our message is to be regarded as the message of God. It is God Who speaks. What we say to you is said in His name and on His authority, and should be received with the respect which is due to a message directly from God. The Gospel message is God speaking to men through the ministry, and entreating them to be reconciled. This invests the message which the ministers bear with infinite dignity and solemnity; and it makes it a fearful and awful thing to reject it. (Ed: And a fearful thing to alter it so that it is a message that is not the authentic Gospel, something that is becoming all too common in pulpits across America [cp Paul's strong warning - Gal 1:6, ,7 8] - e.g., witness the rejection of the teaching of the need for a sinner to repent, a teaching that flies in the face of the clear call of Jesus, for He Himself began His ministry saying "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [aorist imperative = not a suggestion but a command issued with a sense of urgency!] and believe [present imperative = command to keep believing - genuine believers will keep believing - this does not earn or merit their salvation but demonstrates that they are truly saved!] in the Gospel." Mark 1:15)