Closing Admonitions

2 Corinthians 13 (NLT)

1 This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”).

2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.

4 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority.

8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.

9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

10 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

13 All of God’s people here send you their greetings.

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

INTRODUCTION:

Paul has reached the end of his letter, and he closes with several admonitions to the church.

I. Be Prepared for My Visit (2 Corinthians 13:1–4)

2 Corinthians 13:1–4 (NLT)

1 This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”).

2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.

4 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

A- Mercy will give way to judgment. (2 Corinthians 13:1-2)

2 Corinthians 13:1–2 (NLT)

1 This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”).

2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

1- In 12:14 he had mentioned his third visit, and now he repeats his admonition. He refers to the OT law that two or three witnesses are needed to settle the truth of a matter (Deut. 19:15), as though his third visit were God’s final opportunity for the church to make matters right.

Deuteronomy 19:15 (NLT)

15 “You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

2- He had told them before, and was now reminding them, that this visit would mean unsparing judgment to those who were guilty of sin. His boldness in dealing with sin would be proof enough that he was not a weakling! (See 2 Corinthians 10:10 and 2 Corinthians 11:6.)

B- Weakness will give way to power. (2 Corinthians 13:3-4)

2 Corinthians 13:3–4 (NLT)

3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.

4 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

1- His statement in v. 4 is interesting. In His death, Christ seemed to reveal weakness; but His resurrection revealed the power of God. In his previous visit, Paul showed seeming weakness as he served; this next visit would be different.

2- There are times when we show His power in us by our seeming weakness; there are other times when we must be severe through the power of God. Paul’s thorn in the flesh experience is an example of being “weak in Him” yet living by the power of God.

3- Had the Corinthians obeyed the Word of God, they would have spared themselves and Paul a great deal of agony.

4- It is when Christians ignore or oppose the Word of God that they bring trouble upon themselves, others, and the church. How many pastors have gone through Gethsemane because of Christians who refuse to listen to God’s Word!

II. Be Sure You Are Saved (2 Corinthians 13:5–7)

2 Corinthians 13:5–7 (NLT)

5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority.

A- Its time for self-examination. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)

5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

“Ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε εἰ ἐστὲ ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἑαυτοὺς δοκιμάζετε· ἢ οὐκ ἐπιγινώσκετε ἑαυτοὺς ὅτι Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν; εἰ μήτι ἀδόκιμοί ἐστε.”

πειράζετε = to try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing—‘to test, to examine, to put to the test, examination, testing.’

δοκιμάζετε = to try to learn the genuineness of something by examination and testing, often through actual use—‘to test, to examine, to try to determine the genuineness of, testing.’

ἀδόκιμοί = pertaining to having been proven worthless—‘of no value, valueless, worth nothing.’

1- The Corinthians were spending a great deal of time examining Paul; now it was time they examined themselves.

a- Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

b- A true Christian experience will bear examination.

c- “Are you even in the faith?” asked Paul. “Are you truly saved?”

d- Every believer must prove his or her faith; no one can tell others whether or not they are born again.

B- Determine if you are genuine or a counterfeit. (2 Corinthians 13:6-7)

2 Corinthians 13:6–7 (NLT)

6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority.

6 ἐλπίζω δὲ ὅτι γνώσεσθε ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἐσμὲν ἀδόκιμοι.

7 εὐχόμεθα δὲ πρὸς τὸν θεὸν μὴ ποιῆσαι ὑμᾶς κακὸν μηδέν, οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς δόκιμοι φανῶμεν, ἀλλʼ ἵνα ὑμεῖς τὸ καλὸν ποιῆτε, ἡμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν.

1- A true Christian has Christ in him. (2 Cor. 13:6)

a- ἀδόκιμοί = pertaining to having been proven worthless—‘of no value, valueless, worth nothing.’

2-True believers recognize true leaders.

a- His enemies had charged Paul with being a counterfeit (a false apostle), a charge that he denied in v. 6.

b- He begged the Corinthians to turn away from evil living and speaking, not simply that they might thereby prove that Paul was a true apostle, but for their own good.

c- If they repented, he would not have to prove his apostleship by coming to discipline them. He was willing to set aside this privilege for their sakes. Paul would have rather lost his reputation to see them helped spiritually than to have them continue in sin and force him to exercise his apostolic authority.

d- Peter warns pastors that they should not exercise lordship over the church (1 Peter 5:1-4), and Paul is here manifesting that same humble spirit. The warning of discipline is never for the purpose of exalting the pastor, but always for leading the offender to the place of repentance.

1 Peter 5:1–4 (NLT)

1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:

2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.

3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.

4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

e- In this day of satanic counterfeits, it is important that professing Christians know that they are saved. Remember the warnings in Matt. 7:15–23 and the startling truths of 2 Cor. 11:13–15.

Matthew 7:15–23 (NLT)

15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.

16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.

18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.

19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.

20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’

23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 (NLT)

13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.

14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

III. Be Obedient to God’s Word (2 Corinthians 13:8–10)

2 Corinthians 13:8–10 (NLT)

8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.

9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

10 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

8 οὐ γὰρ δυνάμεθά τι κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας, ἀλλὰ ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀληθείας.

9 χαίρομεν γὰρ ὅταν ἡμεῖς ἀσθενῶμεν, ὑμεῖς δὲ δυνατοὶ ἦτε· τοῦτο καὶ εὐχόμεθα, τὴν ὑμῶν κατάρτισιν.

10 διὰ τοῦτο ταῦτα ἀπὼν γράφω, ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἣν ὁ κύριος ἔδωκέν μοι, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν.

A- Obedience to God’s word averts discipline. (2 Corinthians 13:8)

2 Corinthians 13:8 (NLT)

8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.

1- In v. 8, Paul is not suggesting that there is no way to oppose the truth.

a- Satan certainly opposes the truth with his lies, and people are more prone to believe his lies than they are to believe God’s truth! (John 8:44) (Romans 1:18, 25)

John 8:44 (NLT)

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Romans 1:18 (NLT)

18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

Romans 1:25 (NLT)

25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

(2 Timothy 2:25)

2 Timothy 2:25 (NLT)

25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

2- Paul is saying that the repentance of the Corinthians would be “that which is honest” (v. 7) and according to the Word of God.

a- Since they would be obeying the truth, Paul could do nothing against them in terms of judging sin or disciplining the offenders.

b- He himself did not want anything other than the truth in the church at Corinth.

B- Obedience is better than being disciplined. (2 Corinthians 13:9-10)

2 Corinthians 13:9–10 (NLT)

9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

10 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

1- In fact, Paul goes on to say that he would be glad to make this next visit another demonstration of his weakness.

a- if it meant that they would be living in the power of God.

b- His aim was their perfection—their spiritual maturity in Christ.

c- They were babes in Christ, carnal and worldly, and needed to mature. “I want to build you up, not tear you down,” he assured them. “This is why I am writing such a stern letter. I want you to start heeding God’s Word and making matters right in the church. If you do, I’ll not have to speak with sharpness when I come.”

IV. Be Mature in Your Faith (2 Corinthians 13:11–14)

2 Corinthians 13:11–14 (NLT)

11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

13 All of God’s people here send you their greetings.

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

A- We are to continually pursue spiritual growth. (2 Corinthians 13:11)

2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

1- Notice the love that flows from these final words. He calls all of the Corinthian Christians brethren, and makes no distinction between those who attacked him and those who supported him.

“Farewell” (v. 11) means “rejoice.” Paul has written with tears (2:1–5), yet he found it in his heart to “rejoice evermore” and “in everything give thanks.”

2- “Be perfect” is another admonition to grow up in the faith (see v. 9). If they were mature Christians, then the blessing Paul closes with in these verses would be their portion. There would be comfort, unity, peace, and fellowship with one another and with God.

B- We are to demonstrate community within the family. (2 Corinthians 13:12-14)

2 Corinthians 13:12–14 (NLT)

12 Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

13 All of God’s people here send you their greetings.

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

1- The “holy kiss” (v. 12) was an oriental custom among believers; a modern version might read (as J.B. Phillips puts it), “Shake hands all around” (PH).

2- Paul closes with one of the greatest of the Bible benedictions, the benediction of the Trinity (v. 14). The “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” takes us back to Bethlehem, where He became poor for us (2 Cor. 8:9); “the love of God” takes us to Calvary, where God the Father gave His Son; and “the communion of the Holy Spirit” takes us to Pentecost, where the Spirit baptized all believers into the body of Christ. How fitting this benediction was for this divided, unspiritual church! Many churches need this benediction today.

CONCLUSION: