2 Corinthians was composed to assert Paul's own ministry service, shield his position as an apostle, and to discredit the bogus teachers that were in Corinth. In the previous chapter, Paul discussed his vision, his thorn, and the concern that he had for the Corinthians. Presently Paul now offers his last guidance to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 13:1-14 contains Paul's last admonition to the Corinthians: atone from their wrongdoing before he shows up to visit them. None will be saved from Christ's discipline if that they stay unrepentant. They will see that Christ talks through Paul when he executes Christ's strong discipline among them. He encourages them to analyze themselves to check whether Christ is in them, and he petitions God for their reclamation. Paul realizes he has an undeniable position to address Christ among them, yet he trusts he will not need to do as such in an extreme manner when he shows up.
It additionally contains Paul's last goodbye to the Corinthians. He asks them to be of good cheer, to make progress toward rebuilding, and to comfort and support each other in similar solidarity. He guarantees them that the God of affection and harmony will accompany them, reminds them to welcome each other with a sacred kiss, and offers good tidings from followers in other places of worship. At last, Paul prays for a definitive gift for them from every one of the three individuals from the Trinity.
In verses one - two:
This is Paul's third visit. (Acts 18:1, 20:2-3; 2 Corinthians 2:1) "In the mouth of two or three witnesses" means by the evidence of, because it took more than one person to give evidence against or for someone. (Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 1 Timothy 5:19)
At the point when Paul showed up for the third time in Corinth, he stated “I will not spare” unrepentant heathens. His activities could incorporate defying and freely upbraiding their way of behaving, practicing church discipline by calling them before the congregation leaders, or banning them from the congregation (2 Corinthians 1:23, 10:2, 11, 12:21).
In verse five:
The Corinthians were to look at themselves, to check whether they truly were Christians. Similarly, as we get a physical examination from our doctor, Paul urges us to give ourselves a spiritual examination. We should search for a developing consciousness of Christ's power and presence in our lives. We will know whether we are genuine Christians or frauds when we do a spiritual self-exam. If we are not finding a way to develop that close relationship with God, then we are pulling back more distantly away from him (John 14:20, 17:23; Romans 8:10; 1 Corinthians 9:27, 11:28; Galatians 4:19; Colossians 1:27).
In verses eight - nine:
Similarly, as parents strive to see their youngsters should develop into mature grown-ups, so too did Paul believe that the Corinthians should develop into mature believers. As we share the Good News, our objective ought to be not just to see others accept Christ into their hearts or start going to church, however, to see them become developed in their faith. We should not set our goals excessively low (1 Corinthians 1:10, 4:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:10).
In verse eleven:
Paul's ending words, what he wants the Corinthians should keep in mind about the necessities of their congregation, are as yet appropriate for today’s church. When these characteristics are absent, there are issues that will need to be managed in the church. These qualities do not come to a congregation by overlooking issues, clashes, and challenges. They are not delivered by disregard, disavowal, withdrawal, or sharpness. They are the side-effects of the exceedingly challenging work of taking care of these types of issues. Similarly, as Paul and the Corinthians needed to work out hardships to bring harmony, so we should apply the standards of God's Word and not simply hear them (Romans 12:16, 18; 1 Corinthians 1:10).
In verse fourteen:
In Paul's goodbye, his blessing conjures every one of the three individuals from the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Albeit the teaching of the Trinity is not unequivocally instructed in Scripture, sections, for example such as this one, show that it was accepted.
Paul was working on a continuous issue within the Corinthian church. He might have declined to speak with them until they cleared up their concerns on their own, however he cherished them and contacted them again with Christ’s love. Notwithstanding, love implies that occasionally we should face those that we care about. Having both authority and individual concern are required in managing individuals who are running their lives with transgression. Yet, there are a few wrong ways to deal with meeting others head on, and these can additionally break connections instead of recuperating them. (Romans 16:24; Philippians 2:1)
We can be legalistic and overwhelm the individuals with the regulations that they ought to comply with. We can get some distance from them since we would rather not face what is happening. We can segregate them by chattering about their concerns and turning others against them also. Or on the other hand like Paul, we can try to fabricate connections by adopting a better strategy by giving, caring, and imparting (communicating). This is a troublesome methodology that can deplete us inwardly. In any case, it is best for the other individual, and it is the best Christlike method for working with the others who have sinned.
So, how do we go about getting a faith check-up?
We are to prove ourselves not to be reprobates, which means that we should examine ourselves. We ought to know if Christ Jesus is within us by the influences, graces, and indwelling of His Spirit. We are to search ourselves and make sure that we are what we say we are.
1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Ephesians 4:3, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Hebrews 4:11, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
Romans 8:10, “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
