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2 Corinthians 13 Good Afternoon Brothers, I wish to remind everyone that tomorrow we
will be starting The Gospel of John chapter 1, we will go through the gospel
then after completing John, we will return to Galatians to continue on with
the Epistles. 2 Cor 13 This chapter is an odd duck
in the last chapter of an Epistle. We can see that Paul continues to
hammer on the concepts that he has been driving home through the entire chapter.
For instance, 1-4, verification of his apostleship, 5-10 edification of believers
to Christ, 11-14 Farewell. In other books, we have seen him give long
lists of praises to people for their work, travel plans and miscellaneous
stuff that divert from the general message of the epistle. Not here,
he keeps hammering and driving the point home right up to the end.
vs. 1-3 Paul gets a little testy with the
Corinthians here, Paul basically said that until now he has been nice.
He doesn't want to visit a third time over these problems. He is saying
that if he has to come a third time, he will not pull any punches.
We laugh when we see this, but it is not to be taken lightly. Think
about the story in Acts 5 about Ananias, these people were not too far removed
from this story, the potential power of the original apostles was frightening.
Paul doesn't seem to be justifying his apostleship here, he is acting with
apostolic authority. vs. 3-5 Christ is not weak, He is the
power of God. We are weak in Him, meaning that we are weak ourselves.
However, we are In Him, and we live with Him, His power is mighty!
In other words, don't forget we are weak in the flesh, but we have God living
His life through us, in this there is power. What did Paul say in the
last chapter? Power is perfected in weakness. The more that we
recognize our weakness, the more that Christ can live His life of Power through
us. vs. 5-10 A little philosophical thought
here. Paul compares and contrasts, focuses on the idea of being in
Christ, and if a person is saved at all. Paul is saying that you had
better be sure that you are saved and in the kingdom. If you aren't,
and you only appear to be in the truth, you are in serious trouble.
The only person who knows about your commitment to Christ is you. Everyone
else can only go by what you tell them and by their fruit-checking abilities.
Paul prays for their salvation, that they may be made complete. He
wishes to build them up, to edify them and not to tear them down. In
contrast to this, it is important for a person to know that he does have
his heart right with God. If Jesus Christ is not in you, all the effort
is in the flesh and worthless. vs. 11-14 Farewell, but farewell with
conditions. Paul reiterates what he has been pushing through the entire
book, this is what the edification from v. 10 is talking about. This
is the list of the powerful, thriving fellowship of believers. If a
group of believers adheres to this list, they will not face any of the church-splitting
or the dissentions which have been addressed through out this book.
Briefly, first, "rejoice" (Praise God) second "be made complete" this is
salvation, third "be comforted" come alongside Christ or walk with
Him, fourth "be like-minded" we are to have Christ's mind in us, fifth "live
in peace" live in peace with the world, and other Christians, also
with your self, you are to have an attitude of peace, and lastly "the God
of love (agape) and peace will be with you" if we meet this list, it
will be obvious that God is with us as His agape love will be demonstrated
in our lives. In the farewells of the final three verses,
Paul reminds us that once again, we are in grace, we don't deserve the Lord
Jesus, that we have a life which is permeated with Jesus Christ, the Love
of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. How can we loose? Lord, let each of us examine our hearts and
compare ourselves to Your Word. That we will live our lives according
to Your Word, and that it will be obvious through our lifestyles and in our
hearts. Thank you Jesus for our study. In Him, Joe Turner |
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