2 Corinthians, Chapter 13
© Copyright 2003 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Paul went to Corinth to preach the word. He established the Truth in the congregation.

Is the Truth established in the Church you attend/serve? 

2 Corinthians 13:2-4
2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Repetition is a wonderful teaching tool. It seems to be a necessity for Paul. 

The Corinthians seemed to be a bit dull of mind. They needed more than the apostolic power and eyewitness testimony.

Christ was crucified because of our human weakness. He was resurrected because of God’s infinite power.

If we follow Christ, we will follow Him in death and in life.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

Have you examined yourself?

Are you "in the faith?" 

Do you know that Christ died and now lives?

Do you realize that your life depends on His grace?

Do you know that without Christ you would be a reprobate?

Without Christ the entire world turns into a great big negative! But with Him, we are more than conquerors.

2 Corinthians 13:7-10
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

The KJV says that God cannot look on iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). That is a Hebrew idiom meaning that he cannot condone sin, and neither should we.

We should never act contrary to truth. Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

We may appear to be weak, but we are always strong in Him. It is in his strength that we find our perfection.

Not long ago, a friend wanted to get to the place that he was sinless. If had looked at himself through God’s eyes he would had seen that, in Christ, he was there.

Paul wrote this letter to assure the Corinthians that all they heard about Christ was true. Do you believe all that the Bible says about the only Begotten Son?  

True preaching is designed to build faith. Truth never leaves us in despair. 

2 Corinthians 13:11-14
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.
13 All the saints salute you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

"Be Perfect" indicates a process of being made complete, mended, or repaired.

"Be of good comfort" speaks of being called to come along side Christ for the purpose of being encouraged, strengthened, and taught. 

"Be of one mind" denotes wisdom. We cannot remain ignorant and stand with Christ.

"Live in peace" implies cultivating harmony with God and His people.

Communion (Gr. koinoonia-koinwnia) speaks of our fellowship with the Holy Spirit.  Since His coming our fellowship has been with the Spirit.  Indeed, as sons of God, we are led by the Spirit. 

Christianity is an affectionate relationship.

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