We all have a decision to make. After we become a disciple of Jesus Christ the culture around us, our own brokenness, and an invisible enemy—will all try to mitigate the work that the Holy Spirit is doing inside of us: transforming us into a new character. The decision we have to make is how much we will cooperate with that metamorphosis. Your mind will justify anything you let it. That’s why we get ourselves into trouble and think we are doing okay! The Corinthians had let “this age” thinking permeate so deeply that they were biting and scratching at each other and attacking the Apostle Paul and all the while thinking that the con-men they had embraced were the real deal—when in fact they were emissaries of Satan. So Paul faces them off at the end of 2 Corinthians with the choice—recognize the flesh ruling and give back ownership of their lives to Jesus and their allegiance to the guy who led them to Christ: Paul. Let’s see how that plays out for them, and talk a bit about how it works in our lives.
1
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 19:15 here. Commentators have suggested two interpretations: one is that Paul was coming to the Corinthians as a judge to set matters in order in a disorderly church. Others suggest he is counting visits as witnesses. This third visit is like the third witness against the Corinthians. It’s likely that both interpretations are correct. Like in Matthew 18, Jesus suggests the use of two or three witnesses when confronting a sinning brother or sister, but also three different levels: personally, before witnesses, and before the church.
I guess for us the word is: when it comes to discipline in the church, make sure you don’t do it alone, and that you allow for plenty of time for the person to respond.
2
This supports the “three times” interpretation of verse 1. Paul warned in person twice, and now is warning again while absent that when he comes he will deal with the sin in the church. “Not be lenient” in the Greek basically suggests that Paul will not hold back. In essence the Corinthians had been given time and encouragement to let go of sin and turn away from the false teachers who preached “this age” thinking. The time for warnings was over. Time itself was up. No more “meek and mild” Paul.
The idea of progressive discipline seems to be a Scriptural pattern. Pharaoh got warning after warning before God hardened his heart and killed the firstborn. Saul got several warnings from Samuel before God had had enough. The Pharisees and religious leaders in Israel got warned many times by Jesus but there came a time when they would bear responsibility for their choice to reject Jesus.
All the more reason to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures speaking to you to repent.
Galatians 6:7-9 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. NKJV
3 – 4
The Corinthians had demanded proof of Paul’s apostleship. They had bought into the worldly attitude that impressive speaking abilities, and a powerful appearance were all that was needed—and that Paul didn’t have those qualities. Instead he uses the model of Jesus Christ, who came in weakness but through that weakness (His sacrifice on the cross) became a conduit for the power of God to save the world.
So too Paul boasted in the struggles of life to show that Christ’s power works through human weakness, not impressiveness. When he came to them, it would not be to show off, but the same power of Jesus Christ would flow through him—a power that they would experience, and would things right. We don’t realize what the real power of God is. When Jesus returns to earth He will require nothing more than the sound of His voice to destroy all of the enemies arrayed against him. “The Word of God is powerful” are not empty words.
5 – 6
The Corinthians were testing Paul to see if he was a “real” Apostle. Now it’s time for them to look at themselves. The key to that self-examination is to see if “Jesus Christ is in you.” The presence of Jesus means a changed life. The Holy Spirit comes inside a person who has received Jesus and takes up permanent abode in that life—spreading like a good virus and literally taking over a person’s character, transforming them into the character of Jesus.
If there are no changes at all then the person ought to question whether they have really accepted Jesus. Paul wants the Corinthians to recognize that since Paul arrived and shared the gospel with them that they have indeed changed. It’s not something that you use a legalistic measure against—like a litmus test of which behaviors and attitudes have changed – that’s up to God and the believer. But a maturing person is a person who has Jesus in them.
In the same way, as they realize that yes, they really are in Christ, then they will recognize that Paul is as well and drop this silly business of doubting him.
7 – 8
Essentially Paul is saying that they would embrace the decision to no longer trust the false teachers and by recognize their mutual faith in Christ and the changed lives they have experienced—this is “the right thing.” But by the same token, Paul does not want what the false teachers demanded—a recommendation they could put on their resume. Paul stands by the way God has led him through ministry—distress and “failure” which is actually true success. The reason, Paul says, is that he has to stand for the truth, no matter how many he must make feel uncomfortable in the process.
9 – 10
Paul is so into the building of the lives of the Corinthian believers that he is willing to go through hardship (“fail”) if it means they can grow and mature. If only they would receive this, then Paul could focus on encouraging their faith when he comes, instead of having to correct their wrong attitudes and behavior. The word “severity” means “to cut abruptly”.
11
I love this verse. Paul gives the Corinthians five exhortations:
Rejoice – several versions have this as “farewell”. NASB has “rejoice” – could be either
Be Restored – word means “to repair” – that’s what Paul was doing, and that’s what God does with us, repair our relationship with Him.
Be Encouraged – Greek: parakaleho (to call near, to comfort) which is what that restoration does.
Be of the same mind – something the Corinthians really needed.
Be at peace – to act peacefully. Ending the strife and dissention, ending the controversy. This is the result of being of one mind with our fellow believers.
12 – 13
Paul ends his communication to the Corinthians where he began—to be unified in love. Instead of fighting for supremacy with each other, greet each other with hugs and handshakes (our modern counterpart to the greeting kiss still practiced in the Middle East). And as a further sign of unity, he shows us the Trinity (though not named specifically). God in three persons means that a church of many can be one!
Conclusions
Live by God’s power, not your own (vs 3 – 4)
Allow God to break you and take you through difficult times in order to make you depend on him and have no earthly reputation for “success”. Let the weakness of Christ (through the cross and dying to self) and the power of God (through the resurrection and new life dependent on Him) flow freely
Have you taken the test? (vs 5)
Right now God is waiting patiently and warning earnestly that He is coming back and when that happens anything that doesn’t operate how the universe really works—like God’s character—will cease to exist. Now is the time to have that relationship restored through Jesus.
When you find yourself in misunderstandings with other Christians, go back to the foundations—faith in Jesus (vs 5)
Maturing is hard, but worth it (vs 9)
I think sometimes we accept a mediocre faith because becoming “complete” is so hard—not in a legalistic way of “I’ve just got to try harder to be good.” It’s because letting God take you through the valley of the shadow of death is scary. He is killing off our flesh and sometimes that is through painful experiences and failures. But in the end it is worth it because you will be free, healthy, and a better instrument to see others fall in love with God.
Where are you in Paul’s list? (vs 11)
Are you rejoicing in the Savior?
Are you restored to God?
Are you encouraged in your relationship with God?
Are you of the same mind as God?
Are you at peace with Him?
