Final Warnings And Exhortations

INTRO

Today, we’re studying the final chapter in 2 Corinthians. Our word for this book is Treasure. The Treasure, Christ, is inside of us. Through our weaknesses and cracks, Christ is revealed. Let’s walk through Paul’s interactions with the Corinthians one last time. Acts 18 described the founding of the church at Corinth, which happened in roughly A.D. 50–52, during Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul stayed there 18 months teaching the word of God and ministering to them. In this process, Paul wrote the “lost letter” referred to in 1 Corinthians 5:9, in which he urged them not to associate with sexually immoral people and is a hotbed for idolatry. The letter we know as 1 Corinthians was written in roughly A.D. 55, probably two to five years after his time of ministry there.

As continuing communication with the Corinthians, Paul wrote this letter from Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8), while on his third missionary journey. Paul loved this church so much that, at one time, he made a “painful visit” to them (2 Corinthians 2:1). During this visit it did not go so well. There is a lack of respect and they did not value him. Because of this painful visit, he also wrote a severe letter (2 Corinthians 2:3). To summarize, there was a lost letter, then 1 Corinthians was written, followed by a painful visit, then the severe letter was written followed by 2 Corinthians, which was written from Macedonia, in roughly A.D. 55–56. In 2 Corinthians 12:14, Paul wrote that he longed for a third visit with them. Acts 20:1–4 explained why Paul never made this third visit.

TEACHING

2 Corinthians 13:1-8: According to Warren Wiersbe, Paul warned the Corinthians.¹ According to Tom Constable, there are four views of interpreting the “two or three witnesses” of verse 1. “First . . . the church would pass judgment and, based on the testimony of the witnesses that Jesus Christ prescribed, should decide who was right.”² In other words, the witnesses would affirm whatever Paul said (Matthew 18:15–20). “Second, Paul may have viewed his three visits to Corinth as three ‘witnesses’ to his innocence. Third, he may have been referring to his warnings that he would not spare the Corinthians… Fourth, Paul may have meant the witness of his fellow workers when he returned to Corinth.”³

Paul planned to deal with the Corinthians biblically when he dealt with their sin. Wiersbe said, “In dealing with sin in a local church, we must have facts and not rumors.”⁴ Deuteronomy 19:15 emphasized that wrongdoing could not be established by only one witness but required the testimony of two or three witnesses. Paul made a similar statement in 1 Timothy 5:19.

Paul’s warning included the statement that he would not be lenient with those who continued to sin (v. 2). Verse 3 indicates the false teachers and apostles “were still seeking proof that Paul was a genuine apostle.”⁵ They accused Paul of being weak, but “Paul was going to use his apostolic authority and power to deal with any sin and rebellion.”⁶ MacArthur pointed out that by rebelling against Paul, the Corinthians and the Judaizers in that group were rebelling against Christ.⁷ Paul would confront them by the power of God within him (v. 4). MacArthur said Paul would “come to Corinth armed with the irresistible power of the risen, glorified Christ.”⁸

Paul then warned the Corinthians to quit worrying about him and to examine their own faith.⁹ Paul was the spiritual father to the church at Corinth, so if his faith was counterfeit, then so was their faith. Paul hoped they would realize whether or not they were born again (vv. 5–6). So how can people examine themselves for evidence of faith? MacArthur listed several possibilities.¹⁰ Are you walking out righteousness and holiness (Psalms 15)? Do you show justice, kindness, humility (Micah 6:8)? Matthew 5:3–12 lists the beatitudes. Are you poor in spirit? Do you mourn? Do you walk in gentleness? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? Are you merciful and pure in heart? Are you a peacemaker? Do you show the love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7? Is the fruit of the Spirit present in your life (Galatians 5:22–23)?

Does your thinking reflect Philippians 4:8? If you are in the faith, then you will grow in these areas. Does your life reflect the basics described in 1 Thessalonians 5:14–22? Are you walking with the Lord as described in 2 Peter 1:5–9? Do you walk in truth, obedience, and love (1 John)? Do you live by the pattern in Revelation 1:3? Nobody likes an examination. Because examinations hurt, and we’re afraid of failure. But Paul challenged them to make this self-examination so they would not fail the test. Paul wanted them to pass the test (v. 7), and wanted them to do everything based on the truth (v. 8).

1 Corinthians 13:9–13: Paul then encouraged them.¹¹ Paul rejoiced when they were strong and wanted them to become fully mature (v. 9). Paul wanted them to succeed. He wanted them to be filled, equipped, and trained. The word Paul used for fully mature (v. 9), could also mean “to be fitted out, to be equipped . . . to set a broken bone, to adjust a twisted limb . . . to outfit a ship for a voyage . . . to equip an army for battle . . . mending nets.” Paul wanted them to be strong.

Paul closed with five exhortations in verse 11: “Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

CLOSING

Thanks for slowing down and studying these two epistles. May you be greatly encouraged by Christ being the Treasure in the Corinthian church and in your life as well.