Our Faith That Is Tested
Notes
Transcript
OUR FAITH THAT LEADS TO HOLY LIVING
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?
But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 30: 1, 2 Corinthians Chapter Thirteen: A Warning and a Blessing
I find myself both exhausted and blessed. The weariness comes not from the length of the letters or from the time spent studying them; rather, it comes both from assuming the burden of the church as it struggles to be Christian in a pagan world and from the anxiety of Paul as he attempts to guide them in God’s will.
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 30: 1, 2 Corinthians Chapter Thirteen: A Warning and a Blessing
this writing has deepened my conviction of the relevance of these letters to individual Christians and to congregations who seek to be God’s people in an increasingly secular age.
2 c
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 30: 1, 2 Corinthians Chapter Thirteen: A Warning and a Blessing
He reissues the warning about his proposed visit (vv. 1–3)
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”). 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.
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.
2 cor 13:1-
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 30: 1, 2 Corinthians Chapter Thirteen: A Warning and a Blessing
pleads with them to examine themselves and to change (vv. 4–10
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.
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. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.
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. For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.
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.
The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 30: 1, 2 Corinthians Chapter Thirteen: A Warning and a Blessing
closes with a blessing (vv. 11–14).
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.
Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All of God’s people here send you their greetings.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 cor 13:
Becoming “Complete In Christ”, is not about how you feel or about, whether your circumstances is perfect, or whether you have the right number of financial security in your bank.
It is about whether your life and your decision is based on the fact that you acknowledge that you are weak and that you rely on the Power of God in every decision and action that you do here and now!
“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.
deut