Untitled Sermon (4)

Observations

Verse 1

- 3rd time he’s coming. >>What is Paul feeling as he thinks about coming again to these people?

- He isn’t going to listen to idol gossip. If the charge doesn’t come on without the support.

INT:

Verse 2

He is reminding them of his last visit. He is sending the warning ahead of time. He warned them on his second visit and is warning them again before his third. (cf.) vs. 10 if they heed this written warning now, there will be no need to spend time in the unpleasant work of church discipline. >> How much distracts us from what God has for us?

verse 3-4

-Our weakness is strength in Christ. When we identify with Jesus in his death, we are laying down ourselves to the will of God. At the same time, we have risen to new life in him. We share in his strength. Paul had said that God’s power is made perfect in weakness, but this doesn’t mean that Paul is a push over and will not stand up to those who need to be dealt with.

- (ESV SB Notes) 13:3–4 Following the pattern of Christ's own weakness (1:5; 8:9; ), Paul too has been weak for the sake of God's people, making evident to them God's Spirit and glory in Christ through his own sufferings (; ; ; ; ; ). But also like Christ, Paul will manifest the power of God in judging the Corinthians' behavior and beliefs (see ; ).

verse 4

INT:

3. A proof of Christ speaking in me (δοκιμὴν τοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ λαλοῦντος Χριστοῦ). Lit., of the Christ that speaks in me. An experimental proof of what kind of a being the Christ who speaks in me is.

verse 5-6

Verse 5-6

We are to test ourselves. What is he talking about? He seems to be highlighting the fact that these people are failing to recognize who they are or who they could be in Jesus. Maybe he is saying that if they are persisting in sin, not repenting on their own, and he has to come deal with it, that they do not know the power of Jesus?

- Paul and his companions have not fail this test. They are still living in the power of Jesus.

INT:

verse 6

5. Examine yourselves (ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε). Yourselves is emphatic. Instead of putting Christ to the test, test yourselves. Rev., try, is better than examine. Examination does not necessarily imply a practical test. It may be merely from curiosity. Trial implies a definite intent to ascertain their spiritual condition.

verse 7

-Paul doesn’t want them to live in a manner worthy of their calling so that he looks good, but for their sakes. (Raising kids to make us look good…) Even if Paul seems to be a failure, all he wants is for these people to know the power of Jesus.

INT:

verse 8-9

I think this relates to the earlier verses, Paul is telling them to examine themselves to see why it is they are able to continue in sin. The power of Christ in Paul is (what the Holt Spirit is) counselor, conviction, helper…with this power living in him, his walk with Jesus is proven, his life has meaning, even if these people

- Again, back to his love for them, he is glad (?) when he is weak and they are strong? What kind of love does Paul have for these people? He would rather see them doing well than to be doing well himself. Reminds me of the beginning of where Paul wished himself accursed and cut off if it would mean his fellow Jews would know Jesus. He wants the Corinthians restoration, he wanted the Jews restoration. He new what it was to love people. --- Paul’s love for the Corinthians will not prevent him challenging their sins—including the situation he dealt with on his last visit. Those who have been saying that Paul is weak are in for a surprise. He will be weak and powerful in the same ways that Christ is weak and powerful—weak in human suffering, but strong in the power of God.

Paul’s love for the Corinthians will not prevent him challenging their sins—including the situation he dealt with on his last visit. Those who have been saying that Paul is weak are in for a surprise. He will be weak and powerful in the same ways that Christ is weak and powerful—weak in human suffering, but strong in the power of God.

verse 9

INT:

8. For we can do nothing against the truth. Your well. doing is what we truly aim at. For, if we had any other aim, with a view to approving ourselves, we should fail, because we should be going in the face of the truth—the Gospel; and against that we are powerless. In that case we should be unapproved before God.

verse 10

9. We are weak. Practically the same as unapproved. When your good conduct deprives us of the power of administering discipline, we are weak.

9. We are weak. Practically the same as unapproved. When your good conduct deprives us of the power of administering discipline, we are weak.

verse 10

-This verse gives the reason for Paul writing this letter - for them to realize the error of their ways and repent. If they would turn back from the things they where involved in, Paul could come and build them up rather than judge.

- I find it interesting that “tearing down” is an option. We are so worried about everyones feelings these days. Does this prevent us from speaking the truth in love? Is it more selfish to share concerns or to ignore and act like they don’t exist?

-This verse seems to be a plea for them to realize the error of their ways and repent. If they would turn back from the things they where involved in, Paul could come and build them up rather than judge.

verse 11

“Aim for” - ESV ; “Be perfect” KJV ; “be made complete” NASB

Important verse - “Aim for” - I like this, often we come to scripture and ask, “how do I apply this”? This spells it out pretty clearly. God is a God of love and peace, and when we live in, and demonstrate those things, we are showing that we are in him and that he is working in us. (cf.) - disciples are not above their teachers. Paul is demonstrating this stuff in his attitude toward these people.

INT:

verse 12 -13

Be perfect (καταρτίζεσθε). Rev., be perfected. See on ; . Paul speaks both of individual perfection and of the perfection of the Church through the right adjustment of all its members in Christ. Compare . The verb is kindred with perfecting, ver. 9.

Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 3, pp. 361–362). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.verse 12 -13

-he is calling them to reconcile. Then he says, “all the saints greet you” - like we talked about last week, sometimes when we get away from the things we love, we forget what we had. I imagine some of these people would remember specific “saints” who had shown love and they would have probably realized how far they had fallen from where they used to be.

Verse 12-14

(v14) is a powerful verse. “The fellowship of the Holy Spirit.”