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2 Corinthians Chapter
Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To appreciate that a time must come when discipline can no longer be spared 2) To see the need for periodic self-examination in order to prove that Christ does indeed dwell in us 3) To notice what will ensure that the God of love and peace will be with us SUMMARY
In this final chapter, Paul makes final comments in preparation for hiscoming. This being the third time he is coming, there has been ampleopportunity for those in need of repentance to do so. Especially sincethey seek proof of Christ speaking in him, he will not spare them onthis visit (1-4). His desire, however, is for their faithfulness. He thereforeencourages them to engage in self-examination to prove whether or notthey are in the faith, and whether Christ is in them (5-6). Hisearnest prayer is that they do no evil, but that which is honorable,and to be made complete. It is in keeping with this that he has written this epistle, and to avoid having to use sharpness when in their presence (7-10). Paul closes his epistle with exhortations designed to ensure that the God of love and peace will be with them, some words of greetings, and abenediction that includes all three Persons of the Godhead (11-14). OUTLINE
I. FINAL COMMENTS IN PREPARATION OF HIS COMING (1-10)
A. WARNING OF IMPENDING DISCIPLINE (1-4) 1. This will be his third visit, which will serve to verify their true condition (1) 2. With this visit, he will not spare to exercise his authority in Christ (2) 3. Since they seek proof of Christ speaking in him (3-4) B. EXHORTATION TO SELF-EXAMINATION (5-6) 1. To prove whether or not they are in the faith (5) 2. His trust is that they will know that he is not disqualified (6) C. HIS DESIRE FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS (7-9) 1. His prayer is that they do no evil, but that which is honorable (7) 2. Not for his sake, for even if he should seem disqualified, he can do nothing against the truth (7-8) 3. He will gladly be weak if it means they are strong, for his prayer is that they may be complete (9) D. HIS PURPOSE IN WRITING THIS EPISTLE (10) 1. So that when present he does not need to use sharpness 2. Which is in keeping with the authority he has from the Lord for their edification II. CONCLUDING REMARKS (11-14)
A. FINAL EXHORTATIONS (11) 1. Become complete 2. Be of good comfort 3. Be of one mind 4. Live in peace -- For then the God of love and peace will be with them B. GREETINGS (12-13) 1. An admonition to greet one another with a holy kiss (12) 2. Greetings sent to them from the saints (13) C. BENEDICTION (14) 1. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 2. The love of God 3. The communion of the Holy Spirit -- Be with them all. Amen REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Final comments in preparation of his coming (1-10) - Concluding Remarks (11-14) 2) What will be the significance of Paul's third visit to them? (1)
- Sufficient evidence will have been gathered to make a final judgment ("By the word of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.") 3) What is Paul's warning should he come again? (2)
- "I will not spare" 4) What does Paul exhort them to do? (5)
- Examine themselves as to whether they are in faith - Prove themselves 5) What was Paul's prayer for them? (7,9)
- That they do no wrong, but that which is honorable - That they may be made complete 6) Why was Paul writing this epistle? (10)
- Lest being present he might have to use sharpness 7) In expressing farewell, what four exhortations does he leave withthem? (11)
- Become complete - Be of good comfort - Be of one mind - Live in peace 8) Provided they heed these four exhortations, what blessing will theyenjoy? (11)
- The God of love and peace will be with them 9) What final exhortation does he give to them? (12)
- To greet one another with a holy kiss 10) What three blessings does Paul pray for them as he closes thisepistle? (14)
- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ - The love of God - The communion of the Holy Spirit
Examine Yourselves (13:5)
INTRODUCTION
1. As Jeremiah lamented over the destruction of the city of Jerusalem he called for the people to examine themselves and turn back to the Lord - Lam 3:40-41 2. In teaching on the proper observance of the Lord's Supper, Paul wrote that it was to be a time for self-examination - 1 Co 11:27-31 3. Paul later challenged the Corinthians to "examine yourselves as towhether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves." - 2 Co 13:5
a. In doing so, he employs the present tense for the verbs "examine" and "prove" b. Indicating that such examination was to be an on-going activity! 4. This should naturally raise some important questions... a. Why should we examine ourselves? b. By what standard should we examine ourselves c. What sort of questions should we be asking ourselves? [In this lesson, I would like for us to focus our attention on this call to "Examine Yourselves". As we do so, let's answer the questionsalready raised, beginning with...] I. WHY SHOULD WE EXAMINE OURSELVES?
A. TO DETERMINE WHETHER WE ARE IN THE FAITH... 1. Paul said, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith." a. The expression "in the faith" refers to being a faithful Christian b. Thus we are to examine whether or not we are remaining faithful to the Lord! 2. We need to remember that the danger of drifting is ever present a. It is possible to drift away if we neglect our salvation - cf. He 2:1-4 b. It is possible to develop an evil heart of unbelief - cf. He 3:12-14 3. What our text implies, however, is that it is possible to KNOW of one's standing before God a. In fact, the Bible was written for this purpose, that we might know b. One book in particular has this purpose in mind - 1 Jn 5:13; 2:3; 3:14,24
B. TO DETERMINE IF JESUS CHRIST IS IN US... 1. Paul challenged the Corinthians to consider whether Jesus Christ was in them 2. That Christ indwells the Christian is a wonderful thought a. It was promised by Jesus Himself - Jn 14:21-23 b. It begins when we put Christ on in baptism - Ga 3:26-27 3. We may wonder at times "how" He indwells, but the key here is... a. To know that He does! b. To realize there are ways we can KNOW whether He does! -- Which is why we need to periodically examine ourselves! C. TO DETERMINE IF WE ARE DISQUALIFIED... 1. It is a given that Christ is in Christians, unless they have become "disqualified" 2. What does "disqualified" mean? a. Here is how some other translations read... 1) "ye be reprobates" (KJV, ASV) 2) "you fail the test" (NASV, NIV) b. Literally, "not standing the test", and in the context it refers to the test of... 1) Being in the faith 2) Having Christ in you 3. This verse is simply another among many that reveal that a Christian can indeed fall away from grace! a. Paul warned of falling from grace - cf. Ga 5:4 b. Peter likewise warned of falling from one's own steadfastness - cf. 2 Pe 3:17 c. Jesus described what would happen to those branches who did not bear fruit - Jn 15:1-2,6 -- Again, through self-examination one can KNOW what their true condition is! D. TO DETERMINE IF WE REALLY KNOW OURSELVES... 1. As Paul calls for self-examination, he asks "Do you not know yourselves...?" a. We can easily fall into the trap of self-deception - e.g., Ja 1:22-25 b. The religion of such a person is "useless" - Ja 1:26 2. Only through periodic self-examination can we avoid deceiving ourselves! [So the need is ever present to "examine yourselves", to "prove yourselves". That leads to the next question...] II. BY WHAT STANDARD SHOULD WE EXAMINE OURSELVES?
A. NOT BY THE ESTIMATE OF SELF... 1. We cannot trust solely upon what we may think of ourselves a. We are approved only if the Lord commends us - 2 Co 10:18 b. Therefore even though we might "think" we are right, we are not the final arbitrator - cf. 1 Co 4:4 2. We can be wrong in our basic assumptions, which can lead to wrong conclusions about ourselves a. Paul had thought persecuting Christians was pleasing to God - Ac 26:9-11 b. There will be many people at the Judgment who thought they were pleasing God during their lifetime - Mt 7:21-23 -- We must therefore look for a standard outside of ourselves by which to examine ourselves! B. NOT BY THE ESTIMATE OF MEN... 1. We cannot compare ourselves with others, or trust their approval a. To compare ourselves with others is unwise - 2 Co 10:12 b. The approval of others is a small thing - 1 Co 4:3 2. People are often wrong in their thoughts and evaluations a. The majority will find themselves lost on the day of judgment - Mt 7:13-14 b. Even many religious will be surprised - Mt 7:21-23 -- We must still look for yet another standard by which to examine ourselves C. WE MUST TRY OURSELVES BY THE STANDARD OF GOD'S WORD... 1. Again, it is the commendation of the Lord that makes one approved - 2 Co 10:18 2. It is the Lord who is the ultimate Judge - 1 Co 4:4; 2 Co 5:10 3. As the Lord Himself has said, we will be judged by His words - Jn 12:48 [The only appropriate standard to use when we examine ourselves is theWord of God. We cannot trust our feelings, or what others might say.Finally, let me share some...]