Thursday, May 18, 2017

II Corinthians 13, A Third Visit Coming

Paul finishes his letter with a few final words, a final appeal, and an affectionate blessing.

2 Corinthians 13: 1-4, Third Visit
This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."  I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.

He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.

The Old Testament quote is from Deuteronomy 19:15, a central piece of Jewish law, designed to prevent second- or third-person slanderous attacks.  Paul indicates that he will be more rigid and demanding in his third visit, in the same way that a precise legal charge would require two or three witnesses.  It is possible that Paul views his third visit as a third testimony of Jesus towards his work.

2 Corinthians 13: 5-6, Examine yourselves
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? 

And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

Everyone should self-examine.  Double-check, Paul says, to make sure you are indeed "in Christ" and serious about following the Messiah!

2 Corinthians 13: 7-10, Truth ... and some authority
Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 

This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

Paul's next visit will be with love and authority!  It is neither apparent weakness nor apparent strength that matters, but simply the truth.

2 Corinthians 13: 11-14, Goodbye and blessing
Finally, brothers, good-by. 

Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The word in verse 11 translated "good-by" by the NIV is really chairete, literally "rejoice" but often used as a Greek farewell, much like "good-by" is a condensed English blessing.

The ending of the letter is a bit hurried, an offer of love and affection with a brief blessing.

Tomorrow we will move on to a later and much more structure letter, Paul's letter to the Romans.

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