2 Cor 13: Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 2 Cor 13:1-4

1 This will be my third visit to you. ‘Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 2 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, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 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.

A. Find Out:

1. How many times has Paul visited Corinth? v.1
2. What had he done on his previous visit? v.2a
3. What was it that he now repeats? v.2b
4. Why will he do it? v.3a
5. How did Christ deal with them? v.3b
6. How does that apply in Christ and in them? v.4

B. Think:

1. Who will Paul deal with when he comes?
2. How does he justify not being soft on them?

C. Comment:

     There are important truths in these verses. In the law of Moses truth had to be confirmed through two or three witnesses. So, Paul says, I’m coming on a third visit to confirm what I’ve seen and said before. I warned the sinners among you on my last visit and so I warn you again now that when I come again, if they are still sinning, I will deal with them. If you want proof of my authority, you’ll see it then! You’ll realise that it is Christ speaking through me. Look, he goes on to explain, when Christ deals with sin he isn’t weak or soft about it, but strong and clear.

     When Christ was crucified it was an act of weakness to submit to the unjustness of it all, but the resurrection was an act of God’s power, Thus in a similar way we have no strength in ourselves and have died to our old selves and put no trust in our own abilities, BUT in Christ, with the power of the Spirit within us and responding to His calling, as we work out our ministries we will be strong to deal with sin as we serve you, and part of that serving is protecting you from waywardness (implied).

     This passage raises the whole question of accountability. Because of their relationship with Paul, he holds them accountable for their behaviour and will not let them get away with behaviour that is either ungodly or unrighteous. He warns and warns again and if they take no notice he will come and confront them face to face. Serious stuff!

D. Application:

1. Of ourselves we are weak, but in Christ we are strong.
2. We are called to be strong against sin.

Passage: 2 Cor 13:5-10

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 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. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 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.

A. Find Out:

1. What did Paul call them to do? v.5
2. What was he praying for? v.7a
3. What may the situation appear to be? v.7b
4. What were they praying for? v.9b
5. Why was he writing these things? v.10a
6. Why had God given them authority? v.10b 

B. Think:

1. How did Paul show he had positive feelings towards them?
2. Yet what challenges does he present them?
3. How is Paul mindful of other people watching this situation?

C. Comment:

     Having just warned them to ensure there won’t be anything for him to rebuke when he comes, he now challenges them to check themselves out, to see whether they are “in the faith”. As Christians they are supposed to have the Spirit of Christ living in them, producing the fruit of holiness from within them, affecting every aspect of their lives.     

Check it out, is what he is saying, check to make sure that you can see that holiness in every area of your lives. If that’s not true, question yourselves about your place in Christ. Look, he goes on, it doesn’t matter whether we’ve failed as your mentors, what matters is you are simply seen as doing right. We have a good conscience, we know that we can only move in truth, and it doesn’t matter whether we appear strong or weak, we know the truth behind it all. What matters is what is happening to you. We prayed you won’t do wrong, and we pray that you will be perfect in your attitudes and actions. Look, I’m writing this strongly while I’m away from you so that you will have time to put things right before I come so I won’t have to chide you when I get there. We have the authority to do it if necessary but God’s goal through us is that you are built up and not pulled down, so we’d much prefer to see you getting free from these wrong attitudes and actions and being built up in your holy faith. 

D. Application:

1. Christ in us means holiness. Check it out.
2. God will hold us accountable. Check it out.

Passage: 2 Cor 13:11-14

11 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.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All God’s people here send their greetings.

14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

A. Find Out:

1. What four things does Paul ask them to do? v.11a
2. What will happen when they do those things? v.11b
3. What three things does he want for them? v.14

B. Think:

1. What was the part that the Corinthians had to do?
2. What was God’s part?
3. How is this the application of Phil 2:12,13?

C. Comment:

     As he comes to the end of this letter in his final greetings Paul gives both targets for human activity and the blessing of God to be received.

     First the target for them. He asks them to do four things:

    First, to aim for perfection. That is always to be our goal (Mt 5:48), this is what sanctification is all about, changing us into the likeness of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). Our lives are to be ever changing.

    Second, he asks them to listen to his appeal. He’s their spiritual father so they ought to take notice of him.

    Third, be of one mind – ensure there is unity.

    Fourth, live in peace – ensure there is harmony. This was a church that has known immorality and division, so Paul calls for purity and unity. These are things that they the individual Christians in Corinth could work for.

     Next comes the blessing of God which they can know if they are working on these things. We can’t expect God’s blessing if we are willfully going the opposite way to Him, but if our hearts and minds are set on Him and His will, then we can expect His blessing. What is that blessing? He says it first in verse 11. To know God’s love and God’s peace.

      He then spells it out in verse 14.

      First it is the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, i.e. the divine enabling that Jesus knew to enable him to live a sinless life in a human form, that provides daily power and wisdom for us.

      Second it is the love of God, the heart of God that is completely and utterly for us, that provides security for us.

      Finally, it is the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, that sense of his loving presence with us every day.   Wow!

D. Application:

1. We have a part to play. Are we doing it?
2. God has a blessing to give. Have you received it?