We are concluding our study of Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth. Although I do intend for us to go through the whole New Testament together, we are going to mix it up a bit by first checking back in with the Apostle Peter before going on to the next letter written by Paul. This is taking the books of the New Testament out of order, but I feel very much compelled and excited to look next at the two letters written by Peter. We've been reading about Paul for quite some time now, so we are going to switch gears a little bit.
Today Paul concludes his letter with words of both warning and encouragement. "This will be my third visit to you. 'Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you." (2 Corinthians 13:1-3) Paul quotes Deuteronomy 19:15, "One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." He is going to be fair when he judges the situation at Corinth upon his return. He will listen to the reports of those who are concerned about sins they have witnessed in the church. When Paul gives his opinion it's going to be based on the facts.
Some of the apostle's detractors have been saying he won't return or, if he does, he won't speak powerfully in person the way he does in his letters. The false teachers have even accused Paul of seducing people into the faith through magic tricks instead of through the powerful works of the Holy Spirit. If necessary Paul will prove to the people of Corinth quite clearly that he is an apostle chosen by Christ. I am not sure what form this proof might take, but if you recall from our study of the book of Acts, Paul temporarily struck a man blind for trying to stir up trouble while he was preaching the gospel to a proconsul of Paphos. (Acts 13:6-12) Witnessing this wonder caused the proconsul to accept the gospel, for he knew such power had to come from the one true God. It could be that Paul will have to use his spiritual gifts as an apostle to make his point.
Paul first preached the gospel at Corinth in an attitude of meekness and humility, but as their father in the faith he has now been given responsibility for them and authority over them. They were born again into the family of God when they believed the gospel he preached, so when Paul returns he won't be trying to persuade them to believe but will be disciplining them for disobedience. The people of Corinth found him very plain and weak and unimpressive in appearance. But Christ is doing and will continue to do powerful things through him. "For to be sure, He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God's power we will live with Him in our dealing with you." (2 Corinthians 13:4)
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you---unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5) He asks, "Are all of you certain that you are in the faith? Do you really love the Lord Jesus? Or do you love the world more than you love Him? Are you living in obedience to Him? Are you willing to let Him have control of your life? Do you have the fruits of the Spirit or are you still in slavery to your carnal mind and carnal flesh? Examine your hearts and see whether you belong to Christ or not."
It's typical of us to examine the lives and behaviors of others instead of examining ourselves, but Paul cautions the church members to look at their own hearts first and then to examine him and the other apostles. "And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." (2 Corinthians 13:6)
"Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong---not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed." (2 Corinthians 13:6) He says, "It's not for our sake that we want you to be successful in Christian living. It's for your own sake that we want you to grow and prosper in the faith." That's exactly what a loving parent would say. Those of you who are parents, you want the best for your children for the sake of your children, not so people can pat you on the back and say, "You did a great job raising these kids!"
"For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." (2 Corinthians 13:8) The apostles never enjoyed chastising believers. They owed believers the truth, and sometimes the truth included telling church members they had messed up. It would be nice if Paul could visit Corinth again and have nothing but praise for everything happening there. But he won't lie to anyone. Sin is sin and wrong is wrong. It's doing the church at Corinth no favors if Paul isn't honest.
"We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority---the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down." (2 Corinthians 13:9-10) Good parents want their children to be stronger, healthier, smarter, and more successful than they themselves are. Paul and the apostles want this for the church. The apostles do without a lot of life's basic comforts in order to supply the needs of others, just as a parent does without things in order to supply the needs of their children. Also, parents would prefer to have their children stop being disobedient at the first rebuke, not after having been punished. This is what Paul wants. He hopes and prays that his letters will be enough to convince those who are doing wrong to stop doing wrong. He doesn't want to have to get tough with them.
Paul closes the letter with this benediction: "Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All God's people here send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:11-14)
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