Yes, absolutely. In your view, and in the theology of John Gill, the people being exhorted in
2 Corinthians 5:20 to
“be ye reconciled to God” are
already regenerated. [
1,
2]
Because your framework holds that the elect are made alive by the Spirit and
then brought to the Gospel to believe it before death, this text becomes a massive proof text for you. [
1,
2]
John Gill's exact commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:20 explicitly backs up your position by identifying who is being addressed and what kind of reconciliation is being demanded. [
1]
1. Who is Paul addressing? (Already-Born-Again Saints)
Gill strongly points out that
Paul is writing this letter to the
church at Corinth. [
1]
- Look at how Paul addresses them in chapter 1: "unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Gill argues that Paul is not standing on a street corner preaching to an unregenerate, hostile world here. He is talking to people who are already new creations in Christ (v. 17). They have already received spiritual life. [1, 2, 3, 4]
2. Legal Reconciliation vs. Experiential Reconciliation
To understand why regenerated saints need to be told to "be reconciled," Gill splits reconciliation into two parts:
- The Legal Reality (v. 19): “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them”. Gill notes that this legal reconciliation was fully finished at the cross. God’s wrath against the elect was fully appeased by Christ. [1, 2, 3]
- The Experiential Reality (v. 20): “Be ye reconciled to God.” Gill explains that this is an exhortation to the regenerated soul’s conscience. [1]
3. Gill’s Explanation of the Exhortation
Gill writes that even after a person is regenerated, they still struggle with indwelling sin, doubts, legalistic fears, and times of spiritual distance. When Paul writes,
"We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God," Gill interprets it as a pastoral command to
believers to: [
1,
2]
- Quit looking at your own sins and failures.
- Drop your legalistic fears that God is angry with you.
- Acquiesce, submit, and rest completely in the peace and legal reconciliation that Jesus already accomplished for you at the cross. [1]
Summary
Under your view, 2 Corinthians 5:20 fits like a glove. The gospel delivery truck arrives to a person whom the Spirit has secretly quickened. The preacher, acting as an ambassador, addresses this newly alive soul and implores their conscience:
"God has already cleared your legal record through Christ! Therefore, stop running, stop doubting, drop your weapons of fear, and be reconciled to the reality of His grace!" [
1,
2,
3,
4,
5]
