Paul’s third visit and benediction: (chap.13)
The urgency and necessary of the trip: (13:1-10):
Paul founded the church in his first visit. His second visit was brief but it was painful as he saw some people were indulging in sins and opposition was brewing. They were living contrary to the will of God. He has prepared to come on third visit to teach them the obedience and discipline.
- Paul urges them to prepare: (13:1-4): Paul wastes no time and come straight to the heart of the problem that every matter of accusation must be established by at least two or three witnesses. Here he was quoting OT scripture (Deu.19:15). Now he is coming as a judge but not as a gentle preacher. He is promising the discipline to the unrepentant. He wants to deal with the opposition in a perfect democratic manner. The Corinthians need a strong a leadership lest they will be carried away by pseudo gospel. A Christian pastor must never let authority to corrupt into authoritarianism. “Rebellion against an appointed minister is rebellion against the higher power that appointed him.” (Hughes).
The Judaizers in the church had accused Paul of being a weak man because Paul was very humble and gentle in his approach. Now Paul says that he would show them how strong he could be if that is what it took to solve their problems. He uses strong words that “I will not spare!” In short, Paul was declaring war on anybody who opposed the authority of God’s Word. Paul was humble just like the Christ. Jesus took upon Himself the servant attitude and was crucified in weakness. In the Resurrection the magnitude of the untapped power was displayed (Eph.1:19-21). But now he reigns in power. He will come one day as a severe judge and will not spare any sinner. He would come with authority and in majesty. Now Paul is saying his third visit would be tough. He will severely deal with the opposition and sin.
If the Church members were obedient to the Gospel, there would not have been any problems in the church. When the church elders fail to take directions from the Word of God, even small disagreements could snow ball into a big storm which can ruin the church completely.
- Examine yourself: (13:5-6): The Corinthians were examining Paul all the time, but now Paul hands over the microscope to them to self-examine and evaluate themselves. A true Christian experience will prove their examination. Some of the enemies in Corinth charged Paul of being false apostle which he denied. Now a self-examination of Corinthians would make to repent of their sins and accept Paul as the true Apostle of God. It is for their good. Then Paul would not have to be severe on his third visit. Paul was willing to make this difficult trip to teach, encourage them and to be steadfast in their faith. The problem in Corinthian church is that many people profess that they are saved but are not. For them, they should undergo the test or self examination. A few questions every person must ask himself or herself to be sure of their Salvation are:
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- Do we believe that Lord Jesus Christ has saved them?
- Do we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts? (Rom.8:14).
- Does the Holy Spirit gives witness that we are children of God? (8:16).
- Do we practice righteousness and lead a life of sanctification?
- Do we witness the Lord Jesus Christ among our friends and relatives?
- Do we believe that Christ is coming very soon and we will experience the rapture with Him?
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- Paul’s desire for Corinthians: (13:7-10): Paul’s special prayer was that Corinthians should not fail in their test. He wants them to live godly lives. Even if people criticize them, they should live a pleasing life before the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knew that there were some people who were disqualified. Their thinking was of the worldly. It is a hard truth to know. It would be better know early than when it is too late. This is true with many Indian churches. Some people who regularly attend the church take it for granted that they are saved and have acquired eternal life. The Pastor or elder of the church should make it clear to the congregation that what it means to be saved.
Paul was not at all concerned about his reputation. He says: “whenever we are weak but you are strong.” He wants their perfection. Like a loving father who wants his children to be better than himself, Paul was praying for the church to be perfect, mature and strong in faith. Paul wants nothing other than the truth in the Church. In fact perfection in Hebrew (katartisin) may be translated “restoration.” So Paul prays for the restoration of their spiritual maturity. They needed to be mature. They were babes in Christ but they must grow up. Then Paul could be spared the pain of disciplining those he loved and instead he could work with them for their joy and for building them up, but not tearing them down (13:10). Paul wrote this letter to meet the immediate needs of the Corinthians, but today we benefit so much from this letter. His great desire was the church to be obedient and walking in the footsteps of God, solving their own problem through the direction given by Paul and scriptures which were available to them.
Sometimes we have to tear down a building in order to make it more strong. A farmer has pull up all the weeds before he can plant the fresh seeds and get good harvest. In the same way Paul had to tear down the wrong thinking of Corinthians so that he could build them up in strong faith. That’s why Paul was writing this letter that he may not be harsh when he visits them for the third time.