Closing Thoughts Warning, Challenge and Encouragement
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted
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You might remember the game or conversation starter called Would you rather. You are given two scenarios and you decide what you would choose. Here are a few.
Would you rather go into the past and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great-great grandchildren?
Would you rather have more time or more money?
Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?
Would you rather be able to talk with the animals or speak all foreign languages?
Today’s passage Paul winds down this letter to the church at Corinth. He gives them a warning, a challenge and an encouragement. The passage really shows Paul’s heart for the church at Corinth. I can imagine a would you rather with this church.
Would you rather follow a leader who has lots of credentials and no follow through or a leader who has zero credentials and always follows through?
Would you rather have a church full of people who appear to have it all together and don’t or a church with a few people who are obedient to Christ in every area of their lives?
A Pastors heart for the church is that the church is truly sold out and obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is that 24/7 the flock is in love with the Great Shepherd, Jesus.
I am thankful that people often respect the office of pastor in order to change their actions when I am present with them, but the goal is that who you are in front of your pastor is who you are all the time and who you are is sold out to being obedient to Jesus Christ.
One of my greatest fears as a pastor is that the church and that is the people will be drawn away from Biblical truth. My desire is to constantly teach and pursue being obedient to Jesus so that we will not easily be pulled away.
Paul longs for the church at Corinth to return to the Gospel.
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,
3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you.
4 In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God’s power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God’s power.
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.
6 And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong—not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail.
8 For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature.
10 This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, 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 all of you.
Warning
Warning
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,
The first visit was the establishing of the Gospel or pioneer evangelism in Corinth. The second was the ‘painful’ visit after the writing of 1 Corinthians.
The third visit Paul is prepared for a showdown with those who are opponents and those who continue in their sin.
Paul is refuting those who don’t think he is a true apostle. Continuing with this theme of refuting them he gives them an abbreviated version of Deuteronomy
15 “One witness cannot establish any wrongdoing or sin against a person, whatever that person has done. A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
16 But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established.
Paul is issuing a rebuttal to any of his readers who may have been inclined to bring a charge against him. He is saying you must be prepared to have two or three witnesses to sustain their accusations.
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,
Here is the warning. I gave warning when I was present on the second visit, and now I give warning while I am absent.
he is addressing those who sinned before and to all the rest
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary i. Paul Threatens Strong Action on His Third Visit (13:1–10)
Paul’s reference to those who sinned before may be understood as a reference to the unrepentant sexual offenders of 12:21 (cf. 1 Cor. 6:12–20), while all the others is possibly a reference to those who condoned the sexual offences (cf. 1 Cor. 5:2, 6).
Those who continue in their sin and to those who are ok with them living in sin.
If I come again I will not be lenient or I will not spare them.
The Reason for the Warning
3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you.
4 In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God’s power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God’s power.
The Corinthians are wanting “proof” of Christ speaking in him. They want signs and wonders, which when asked to play the cards he was dealt he gave them those.
Everyone wants signs, wonders, and visions but few just want to be obedient to Jesus daily.
Many want to change the world and for their testimony to go viral but don’t want to strive to be obedient to Christ daily.
You want proof of Christ speaking in me...
He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you.
30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.
31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged,
Many things would be healed simply by being obedient to Christ.
Heart of the Problem quote
4 In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God’s power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God’s power.
What they were saying about Paul is that is letters are heavy but his physical presence is weak. Paul says Christ was crucified in weakness.
The story does not end in Christ was crucified in weakness. Christ did not die so that you could stay weak. Christ did not die so you could live in your sin and continue to suffer its effects.
Christ lives by God’s power.
18 I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
20 He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens —
21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Yet toward you we will live with Him by God’s power. Again a very strong warning to them
4 In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God’s power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God’s power.
The warning is that he will use God’s power toward them if they choose to remain in their sin.
So important to recognize that God is not ok with your sin.
Jesus did not die to leave you in your addiction, sexual sin, anger, bitterness or unforgiveness.
God hated sin so much he gave is One and Only Son to die for your sin.
Yes Christ died in weakness but was raised in power. We are prepared to used God’s power toward you.
Challenge
Challenge
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.
6 And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test.
Test yourselves and examine yourselves
They have been seeking proof that Paul is an apostle and Paul turns this around on them and says you better check yourself!
Test yourself and Examine yourself to see that you are holding true to the Gospel message.
They were all concerned about Pauls credentials and he says you better test yourselves and see if you are holding true to the Gospel.
We live in a world where everyone is concerned about the actions of others, but few are concerned about their own actions.
Instructing kids with blanket statements for all kids. My kids are always more concerned about their siblings doing what mom or dad ask them to do than if they are doing what has been asked of them.
Stay in your own lane and test yourselves or examine yourselves.
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.
6 And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test.
The Corinthians appear to have been quite confident that Christ was in them, so the purpose of Paul’s question is to reawaken them to the fact that do their actions align with their confidence.
You want letters of recommendation from us. Do you recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless you fail the test.
v.6
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary i. Paul Threatens Strong Action on His Third Visit (13:1–10)
The explanation of this is: by testing themselves and reaching the conclusion that they do hold to the faith and that therefore Christ is in them, the Corinthians will at the same time be acknowledging that Paul and his colleagues have not failed. For if they hold the true faith and are indwelt by Christ, that is so because of what they received through the ministry of Paul and his fellow workers, and that in turn proves that Paul is a true apostle, one who has not failed the test.
I love this great confidence that Paul has. He says you pass your test and examine yourselves you will see that we past the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong—not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail.
8 For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature.
We pray that you do nothing wrong
We pray that you are obedient to Christ. We pray that you are sold out to Jesus. We pray that you are seeking Christ is everything
The reason we pray this is not for our own benefit that we appear to pass the test.
We pray this so that you do what is right!
We want you to live rightly not for our sakes but for yours
Do what is right. Seek Jesus..
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary i. Paul Threatens Strong Action on His Third Visit (13:1–10)
However, as far as Paul is concerned, the true legitimization of his apostleship belongs not with such displays of power but is seen in the changed lives of his converts. When they pass the test of holding the faith, and that finds expression in moral renewal in their lives, then the genuineness of Paul’s apostolate will be confirmed (cf. 3:1–3).
v.8
Paul refutes the we may appear to fail.
We are nat able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
The truth here is the Gospel and Paul says that we are not able to act in a way that is contrary to the Gospel, but only in ways that are for the Gospel.
v.9
Less of me and more of Jesus
We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong.
Everything we do is for the building of you up in Christ.
If this means that we are weak and you are strong, then for your sakes I rejoice for we are weak and you are strong.
We pray that you be fully mature
We pray that you will grow in Christ.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 13:8–10
He was concerned about the Corinthians’ welfare (cf. Phil. 2:20–21). Perfection (katartisin) may be translated “restoration.” This noun occurs only here in the New Testament but is kin to the verb katartizesthe translated “aim for perfection” in 2 Corinthians 13:11 and elsewhere used for repairing nets (Matt. 4:21).
As a conclusion to this warning (2 Cor. 12:20–21; 13:5–7), this prayer for restoration of their ways was certainly fitting. Then Paul could be spared the pain of disciplining those he loved (cf. 2:2) and instead he could work with them for their joy (1:24) and for building them up (13:10).
10 This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Provided you become mature that is you return to the Gospel while I am absent.
When I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Paul’s purpose of chapter 10-13 was to recall the Corinthians to their senses so that they would reject the false gospel and false claims of Paul’s opponents and also live out their lives according to the Gospel and not cause Paul to act with authority when he comes.
Encouragement
Encouragement
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, 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.
The word rejoice here farewell or a conclusion to the letter.
Become mature
mend your ways, He wanted the Corinthians to reject the different gospel brought by his opponents, to recognize his claims to be their apostle and to make sure no immoral practices were allowed in their midst.
be encouraged
Listen to my appeal.
Be of the same mind
Many were in disagreement. This does not mean that you agree with with everything but it does mean that we agree on the essentials.
The God of love and peace will be with you
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary a. Final Exhortations and Greeting (13:11–13)
This promise should not be understood as a reward that will be given if the Corinthians obey Paul’s exhortation. It is best taken as an encouragement to those who set themselves to obey, as well as an indication of the source of power by which they will be enabled to do so.
v.12
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary a. Final Exhortations and Greeting (13:11–13)
the kiss was a greeting, a sign of peace and Christian agapē.
13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.
the Love of God
6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die.
8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!
Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary b. The Benediction (13:14)
The word fellowship is a translation of koinōnia, which means essentially ‘participation’. The expression fellowship of the Holy Spirit can be construed so as to mean participation in the Holy Spirit where the Holy Spirit is understood as the object in which Christian people share (objective genitive construction). Alternatively it can be construed so as to mean a fellowship created by the Holy Spirit (subjective genitive construction). Both ideas are true and are found elsewhere in Paul’s letters
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary b. The Benediction (13:14)
In any case Christians can share ‘objectively’ in the Spirit only if the Spirit himself as subject makes that participation possible.