FINAL WARNINGS AND EXHORTATIONS
2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 19 to chapter 13, verse 14
Chapter 12
Fears of Paul – verses 19 to 21
The Corinthians would think that, in the explanation he was giving with respect to his conduct when he was among them, Paul was trying to offer them an apology. He replies that it was not so, because he wanted only their spiritual edification and spoke with all Christian sincerity (19).
He feared that in his next visit, he would not find them walking as he wanted, or they would not be happy with his conduct. They had not abandoned their sins, which were serious (20).
In that case, he would be humbled before God and saddened because of the many who had not repented of the impurity and immorality that they had practiced (21).
Chapter 13
Final exhortations – verses 1 to 10
In a third visit he would make to them, he would put everything in order. He would examine everything (especially what some were arguing against him), according to the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 19:15 - which the Lord Jesus Himself confirmed in Matthew 18:16 and John 8:17).
On his second visit, Paul had told them what he was telling them now that he (as an apostle) had the authority of Christ and would not hesitate to use it 9in his next visit. Christ, of course, was crucified in his human weakness, but now is mighty in the power of God, and so Paul will visit again in the power of the risen Christ, with authority to punish (discipline) the believers in Corinth who were continuing in their grave sins (1-4).
They should examine themselves - were they really Christians? Their character would show this; or had they failed? He himself was had not failed and was praying to God to enable them to avoid sin and do what was good, whatever their opinion of him (5-7).
It could not be denied that the Gospel he preached was from God; he wanted them to be better than he and perfected (in Christ). So he wrote to them so that, on his arrival among them, he would not need to use his apostolic authority to condemn them, but to build them up (8-10).
Conclusion – verses 11 to 14
The letter ends with:
Five exhortations:
1. Leave everything to God ("Farewell").
2. Seek perfection.
3. Comfort one another.
4. Agree among you.
5. Live in peace.
Mutual greetings - with the common sign:
6. The kiss of love with sincerity.
A blessing :
7. The grace, the love and the peace, from the Trinity.
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
2 Corinthians chapter 12, verses 19 to 21
1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. "BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY WORD SHALL BE ESTABLISHED."
2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare—
3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives 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.
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
2 Corinthians chapter 13, vderses 1 to 14