A Warning of Discipline
August 30, 2019
Commentary
As we come to the last chapter of this Corinthian letter most of the church has repented and changed its attitude toward Paul. However, there is a handful of people who are still following the false teachers and living in a worldly manner and open immorality. It is with this in mind that Paul faces them with one final question. “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith, prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates” (v. 5)? The question is not whether you believe the truth, but whether you are in the truth. It is possible to know about Christ on Calvary and yet know nothing about Christ in the heart.
Paul turns the focus to them as he says, “Examine yourselves, you have disputed my doctrine; examine whether you be in the faith. You have made me prove my apostleship; prove your own selves. Use the powers which you have been so wrongfully exercising upon me to test your own character. When you answer the question about yourself, you will also know that I am a real apostle” (v. 6). He explains that he is not looking for an opportunity to come and demonstrate his authority as an apostle by judging them, but what he wants is their moral improvement (vv. 7-9).
Paul emphasizes a principle that is often forgotten today. He makes it clear that true authority is never intended to destroy people or tear them down, but it is to build them up (v. 10). In other words, it is not given so that somebody can lord it over their brothers. Yet in many churches today the pastor’s role is that he is in authority in the church and in essence he is “the pope.” In our early days in the ministry, we found ourselves associated with a group that wanted to exercise control over every area of our life. When we left them, the pastor attempted to assassinate our character in any way he could, but the Lord prevailed and continued to bless our lives in His ministry.
Application
I am so thankful that as I examine myself in the faith, I can say that Christ lives in me.
2 Corinthians 13:1– 10 (NET)
1 This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. 2 I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you. 4 For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you. 5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, indeed, you fail the test! 6 And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test! 7 Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but so that you may do what is right even if we may appear to have failed the test. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth. 9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified. 10 Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority—the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!