Self Check

Self Check - 2 Corinthians 13:1-6

2 Corinthians 13:1–6 NKJV

1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare—3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Lets break it apart into 2 sections, Witnesses 1-2, Judgement 3-4, Self-exam 5-6

Paul begins with them by giving them the testimony against them. The eyewitnesses as it were, much of it from them themselves.

Witnesses 1-2

2 Corinthians 13:1–2 (NKJV)

1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare—

Third time. Not just talking about third visit. Paul rebuked sin and taught them the first time he visited in Acts 18:1-18 he did this for 18mos. Then some think that 1Co 5:9 refers to first letter. He then wrote what we call 1Co, then 2 co. Either way you cut it, its 3 witnesses.

Paul did what we might call a interrogation (2 letters long at least). If the sin is real, the rebuke stands. and he gives evidence to it with the 2 or 3 witnesses.

He is using the precedent, Deuteronomy 19:15 ““One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” Paul says their insistence on following false teachers, accepting sin, and rejecting Paul, puts their hypocrisy on display. Their sickness is plain.

Their crimes? Ok, in 1Co alone we have,

Disunity in ch 1-4 1 Corinthians 1:11–13 “For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

Habitual Sin ch 5-6 1 Corinthians 5:1 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!”

Perverted divorce and tribalism 7 - 1 Corinthians 7:17–19 “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.”

Disputing right doctrine 8-10 1 Corinthians 8:9 “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.” 1 Corinthians 10:6–13 “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:14–15 “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.”

Perverting gifts 12-14 1 Corinthians 12:27–31 “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.”

Denying resurrection 15. 1 Corinthians 15:12–19 “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

The church was in trouble.

Judgement 3-4

2 Corinthians 13:3–4 NKJV

3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

How is it I can give you proof I can judge? By the power of the words of Christ. How many times do we see jesus simply speak and his power is evident even to the non-believer like those arresting Jesus in - John 7:46 “The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!””

Many thought if Jesus were really messiah he could come down off the cross - Mark 15:30 “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”” they cried! But Jesus as Paul had taught them, went to the cross and defeated death and sin itself! 1 Corinthians 15:1–8 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”

Jesus has the keys, Jesus is the Lord. Our king to whom we owe all obeisance to! Death is defeated the king is alive! Revelation 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

The world and devil thought Jesus’s biggest loss was actually the biggest win. Eternal plot twist that no on thought He could pull off (even though he told them all over and over).

1 Corinthians 15:20–28 “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

This gives Him all authority He’ll ever need.

Self-exam 5-6

2 Corinthians 13:5–6 NKJV

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Their constant derision of Paul and questioning of who he is comes down to where most of our arguments come when we cast doubt on those in authority who we no longer agree with. Are they even saved. They need to see that they are saved and because of that, Paul is because he taught them! He evangelized them!

He uses two different words for Examine/Test . The first is

peirazete - test, put to the test, Tempt. How is your faith standing up to Temptation? Tests from the outside. Mine is fine Paul says, we aren't falling away, denying our faith, choosing sin, etc. Compare your faith with mine is almost saying - who’s walking with who?

dokimazete - examine, test, approve. More of an internal test, put to the test do you pass? If stood in judgement before Him, is Christ in you? Are we for real? Do you know Jesus? If tested could you certify you really are a believer? Does it stand up?

The crux of this is do you have a real relationship with Christ? What does your life look like and does it clearly say who you are in Him?

We/they should all hear the old, “Check yourself before you wreck yourself”. How are you sure to not get busted for a crime? Do it really well? No, to never commit it. If we examine ourselves, is Christ in me? Am I different? 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Have they been running the wrong race? Paul by the Holy Spirit taught them, 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. (live out your faith) 25And everyone who competes (against yourself) for the prize is temperate in all things. (avoid carbs/sin get in shape) Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” Is it worth it?

Is there such a thing as real genuine saving faith? I know I have it. I may not know if I am really caught up in doing the right thing admin wise, choice wise, etc. But I know I am His and am saved. Even when it gets really hard, I try not to turn to others, but to Him. To fall into trust. To lean on His Spirit in my life.

Is there real and convicting sin in our lives? What are you leaning on? What kind of creature are you?