Final Words To A Struggling Church

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Background

· Paul’s first visit to Corinth is described in Acts 18.  He was there for about 2 years teaching and preaching.  After his departure, he wrote the Corinthian Church a letter (1 Corinthians) dealing with some issues they sere struggling with.

· The Second visit occurred possibly two years or so after his original visit. Paul was in Ephesus and had to make a quick emergency trip, necessary because of disruption in the congregation started by one individual.  While he was there, he also addressed the quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior which had become common within the church (see 2 Corinthians 12:20).

· But discord in the church continued.  Only now it was focused against Paul’s leadership.  So he wrote a painful letter and sent it to Corinth by the hand of Titus.  Titus returned and indicated the church had responded with remorse and repentance and longed for Paul to reunite with them.

· So now, Paul is on his way to Corinth for the third time.  Accusations against him have persisted and he knows that unrepentant sin and discord are still problems in the church.

A Serious Warning: Testimony Reveals Truth and Judgment is Coming

1 This is the third time I am coming to you.  From the testimony of two witnesses even three, every word will be established.  2 As I have already told you when with you the second time and I tell tell you in advance being absent now: to those who have sinned previously and to all the rest, if I should come to you again, I will not spare you 3 since you demand proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you but is powerful in you.  4 For indeed he was crucified out of weakness but lives because of the strength of God.  For indeed we are weak in Him but we will live together with Him [in our relations with you] because of the strength of God toward you.

Throughout this letter Paul has attempted to show the Corinthians how deep is his love for them.  But it is time for them to grow up (to live as mature and not as worldly Christians).

Paul invokes the biblical principle of having two or three witnesses establish every fact in a matter.  He is letting them know that this third visit will bring decisive accountability and he will not spare persistent sin.  He is not coming seeking vengeance or with a harsh spirit, but because Christ—crucified in weakness yet alive in God’s power—demands holiness of living on our part.  God loves us, and he disciplines us so that we might share His holiness (Hebrews 12:4,5).  As 1 Peter 1:14-15 says, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy for I am holy.” 

God’s power in us is not for comfort alone, but for transformation. “3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and Hislove for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:3-5).

Here then is a challenge for us: Are we living in such a way that the power and strength of Christ is visibly demonstrated for others to see that we are in Christ?

This leads us to our next point:

Examine Yourself First:  Use The Mirror of Self-examination Before Using Others as a Mirror

5 Test your own character to see if you are in the faith.  Examine yourself.  Or do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you fail the test.  6 But I hope you know that we do not fail the test.  7 Now we pray to God that you not do wrong in any way, not that we ourselves may appear approved, but in order that you may be good, even though we may appear unapproved.  8 For we can do nothing against the truth but only for the truth.  9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak and you are strong.  This also we pray, that you be mature.  10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I may not proceed severely according to the authority which the Lord gave to me for building up and not for tearing down.

Before questioning Paul’s qualifications and authority, the Corinthians need to first test themselves and determine if Christ is truly in them.  The presence of the Lord in our life should be evident in our conduct and speech.  Does your lifestyle please the Lord and point to His holiness and goodness?  Truth is found when we examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word, under the convicting influence of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit points out not only our sin, but also areas of righteousness to grow in and areas 0f judgment for those who don’t repent (John 16:8-9).  The person who truly is in Christ will live in conformity to God’s will and in pursuit of holiness.

This doesn’t mean those who are in Christ are already perfect.  But it does means your life will show persistence in pursuing godliness and a willingness to trust God and do what is pleasing to Him.

At the end of chapter 12, Paul mentions that when he comes, he is concerned about what he will find, that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, and disturbances (2 Corinthians 12:20).  These are issues the same issues that had been festering in the congregation since Paul left.  He addressed them in his first letter to Corinth and during the second visit.  But those who had sinned in the past may still not have repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced (2 Corinthains 12:21). 

Paul is willing to appear to be “weak” or “unqualified” as an Apostle (in reality, being a servant and having humility).  He wants to be an example for them to follow in hope that this will lead them into real strength and maturity—because the gospel advances not by human triumph, but by truth in following Christ. Verses 6–9 reveal his pastoral heart: he prays they do no evil, not so he looks good, but so they stand approved before God.

Here is practical application for us to learn from: Self-examination is the first act of spiritual maturity and leadership. We cannot correct others until we’ve faced the truth about ourselves. Paul models humility and is willing to be misunderstood for the sake of others’ growth.

Paul’s tone is very serious and he gives the church advance warning before he arrives.  He wants to avoid being severe when present—his authority is for building up, not for tearing down.  But continued stubbornness and unrepentant sin will bring judgment.  The text doesn’t say what Paul will do, but the warning he gives points them to the fact that Jesus is in them; implying that God’s power among them will work to correct those who are wrong.  In 1 Corinthians, Paul spoke of a man who was living in unrepentant sin.  Paul said the remedy was to deliver such a person to Satan for the destruction of his flesh so that the man’s spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:4,5). 

From Warning to Benediction: Restoration, Unity, and the Presence of the Triune God

11 Finally brethren, rejoice, be restored, be encouraged, be in agreement, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.  12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the saints greet you.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit  be with you all.

Paul’s words move from confrontation to grace: “be restored” echoes the letter’s call to those who have drifted away that they be reconciled with God. The final commands are exhortations that will lead to a positive fruitful outcome—rejoice, be encouraged, agree, live in peace—these are the areas we should focus on in our relationship with one another and with God. 

2 Corinthians ends with a Trinitarian blessing showing us the depth of God’s heart toward us.  We are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is His gift to us.  The unfailing, always loyal, steadfast love of God holds us near and dear.  And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is within us, daily to help, to instruct, to renew, and to lead us into God’s perfect will for our life.

Sermon climax: True maturity isn’t flawless performance, but restored relationship with God and others, sealed by the grace, love, and fellowship of the Triune God. Greet one another with a holy kiss and pursue with one another the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Amen