2 Corinthians 13:1-4 (WEL) This is the third time that I am coming to you. Every spoken word must be substantiated by two or three witnesses. [Deuteronomy 19:15] 2 I have told you before, and I am telling you beforehand, as if I were already there the second time. Now, even though I am absent, I write to those who have sinned and to the others, that if I come again, I will not treat them leniently. 3 Since you are looking for proof of Christ speaking in me, He is not weak among you, but He is powerful in you. 4 For even though it was in weakness that he was crucified, yet he lives by God’s power. For we also are weak with him, but by God’s power, we will live with him.
Chapter Summary—Pett:
“Paul finishes the letter with a promise shortly to be with them for a third time and with a final challenge. He warns them that if their behavior is as he fears, he will not spare them when he comes. This third visit will witness to their true situation. They have sought a proof that Christ, the One Whom they see as powerful within them, is speaking through him. That is well and good. So let them also consider themselves. Are they also seeking to test the genuineness of their own faith? Let them consider whether Jesus Christ truly is within them, with all that that involves, for if He is not, they are on the way to rejection. They are reprobate, failing the test. But he trusts that they will prove not to be so and that their final conclusion will be that he is not reprobate. That Christ is truly in him. And that therefore they will repent. And with that challenge, he says his final farewells.”
V1 This is the third time that I am coming to you. Every spoken word must be substantiated by two or three witnesses. [Deuteronomy 19:15]
It is believed that Paul visited Corinth 3 times: 1) 50-52AD to found the church and teach there for approximately 18 months (Acts 18:1-18), 2) the “painful visit” not written in Acts but mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 12:14; and 2 Corinthians 13:1 to correct the sin in the church and defend his apostleship, and 3) this is mentioned in Acts 20:2-3 for the purpose of collection of monies to help the poor brethren in Jerusalem.
Two or three witnesses is an Old Testament standard decreed by God. See Deuteronomy 15-21. That Old Testament portion also includes what to do if there is also one witness. The witness must be examined by the priests and the judge at that time. If true, then the person is punished. If the witness is false, then eye for eye. If the person is accused of murder by the witness, then the false witness would die, and so on.
Every teacher, every teaching, needs to be examined to see if it aligns with the written Word of God.
V2 I have told you before, and I am telling you beforehand, as if I were already there the second time. Now, even though I am absent, I write to those who have sinned and to the others, that if I come again, I will not treat them leniently.
Paul has Apostolic authority.
Annotated Bible:
“The tidings which Titus brought were in the main good tidings. They had mourned over the wrong which the first letter had pointed out and they had repented; however, it is also clear that not all had been settled. There were still his enemies who attacked him and they became evidently more bitter against him on account of the strong letter he had written to the church. He wrote therefore, this second epistle in which he expresses the comfort which the news of their repentance had brought him, but in which he also very strongly defends his personal character and his apostolic authority.”
The main areas of Apostolic authority (the Apostles of Jesus Christ):
- Doctrine—what is true and false, defining, laying down the principles of doctrine, and doctrine itself that Jesus wanted for the Christian church.
- Revelation—God’s words written down.
- Church discipline—judging and sentencing moral and doctrinal errors.
- Governance—defining church leadership, qualifications for pastors, deacons, deaconesses, worship, etc.
- Miracles—to promote and glorify Jesus Christ.
- Missionary activity—church planting.
- Eye witness of the physically risen Son of God—Jesus Christ.
V3 Since you are looking for proof of Christ speaking in me, He is not weak among you, but He is powerful in you.
Those who have sinned (verse 2) are those who 1) engaged in the incest and those who did not disapprove of that marriage that was displeasing to God and 2) the one person or more who questioned Paul’s authority (in essence setting themselves up as the authority).
This is a continuation of verse 2. Since you question my calling and authority, I will show you it when I arrive.
V4 For even though it was in weakness that he was crucified, yet he lives by God’s power. For we also are weak with Him, but by God’s power, we will live with Him.
He, in verse 3, is Jesus Christ the Head of the Church. He died in weakness for even though He was able enough to come off the cross and punish those who hated Him, He chose to die and finish His priestly ministry as the Lamb of God (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Live with Him refers to our physical resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12 and following verses) and the New Creation of our soul and spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We learn:
- What is an Apostle.
- Paul’s response to those who are creating schisms and disorders.
Questions:
- Do you question the authority of the Apostles of Jesus Christ (12 Apostles and Paul)?
- Jesus Christ arose in victorious strength, so do you believe that believers (you) will live with Him?