that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
19. God was in Christ. Some take this as meaning simply — God reconciled the world to himself in Christ; but the meaning is fuller and more comprehensive — first, that God was in Christ; and, secondly, that he reconciled the world to himself by his intercession.
We must regard no person for carnal ends or outward gain; the world must be under our feet. Even those who saw Christ in the flesh should not dote upon that bodily presence, we live by His spiritual presence, not by images or fleshly remembrance of Him.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,.... Since God has made reconciliation by Christ, and the ministry of it is committed to us, we are ambassadors for him; we come with full powers from him, not to propose terms of peace, to treat with men about it, to offer it to them, but to publish and proclaim it as made by him: we represent him...