seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
2 Corinthians 13:1 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, 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 God’s people here send their greetings.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
My copy of chapter 13 does not have an "amen", but this is the end of the letters to the Corinthians. I don't have much of a quote from the commentary. I do encourage you to read it for yourselves.
The reason I suggest you read the commentary for yourself, well, I think it might bring a blessing to someone who has been sitting on the fence about accepting Jesus as their personal Savior.
Check out verse 1. Paul says, “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.".
This is from the commentary.
By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established: Paul quotes this passage from Deuteronomy 19:15, and quotes it in reference to his coming visit. Either the two or three witnesses are Paul’s three visits or they are the testimony of his associates. The point of the quotation is to remind the Corinthian Christians that he comes this time as a judge, not an investigator. He has enough evidence to write, “If I come again I will not spare.”
Those are strong words: I will not spare. However, the situation among the Corinthian Christians called for strong leadership. A Christian pastor must never let authority corrupt into authoritarianism, yet, “Rebellion against an appointed minister is rebellion against the higher power that appointed him.” (Hughes)
Wow.... Paul that's rich!
I'm sorry, back to disliking Paul again. I think verse 1 is sarcastic. When I read it, I think of Frank Costanza [Seinfeld show] saying "you want a piece of me?"
I can just see that short ugly man steaming about the fact the Corinthians are not crawling all over each other to respect him as a "Super Apostle".
Paul has actually quoted Deuteronomy 19:15.
Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Paul.... no one saw Jesus knock you down.
Paul... no one saw Jesus speak to you.
Paul... you're asking people to believe Jesus appointed you to "understand" the acceptance of Christ as our Personal Savior.
Paul... you want us to Believe what you say?
Paul... you are asking us to buy that even a man who stood by, holding coats, as one of Jesus' disciples was murdered, can become a preacher.
Paul.... that's a lot to ask.... after all, as you say... "It takes two or three witnesses."
Paul... Where's you witness?
Come to think of it, what witness do I have?
Where's my witness? I declared my acceptance of Jesus as my personal Savior in front of the church! Even though it was a small church, there were lots of witnesses.
So, did Paul make a public declaration? Is that what this is about? Paul, are these letters supposed to show your repentance?
OK... good point.
