Commentary by John W. Gregson

CONCLUDING APPEALS AND EXHORTATIONS

II Corinthians 13:1 - 14

2, 3 "I told you before (proeireka) or spoke before, and tell you beforehand (the same word is found in the preceding phrase), as if I were present (paron) or there with you, the second time; and being absent now I write to them who heretofore have sinned, and to all others, that, if I come again, I will not spare (pheisomai) or refrain from action, since ye seek (zeteite) or inquire a proof of Christ speaking in me, who toward you is not weak, but is mighty in you." Those unrepentant sinners are given fair warning for their wrong doing; they need to repent before Paul's arrival. If Paul arrives and no action has been taken, he will not shrink from correcting it; he will show that Christ speaks "in me" or "through me." Paul wants the Corinthians to understand this announcement as distinctly as if he were with them, and uttered it by word of mouth. Proof that he is authorized by Jehovah God to take action can be given if necessary. Just what proof will be given is not spelled out. The Spirit of Christ, no doubt, has not deserted them in spite of their shortcomings. "Rebellion against an appointed minister is rebellion against the higher power that appointed him...in the words of Moses, 'Hereby ye shall know that Jehovah hast sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind' (Numbers 16:28)" (Hughes, pp. 477, 478).

4 "For though (Christ) was crucified (estaurothe) or nailed to the cross through weakness, yet he liveth by the power (dunameos) or strength of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you." Paul's weakness is of the flesh, but the power of Jesus Christ is almighty power. One is reminded of Philippians 2:5 - 8 which reads, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought is not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and, being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Although Christ humbled himself and became a man, in His resurrection and ascension and in His presence at God's right hand, He possesses Almighty power (Philippians 2:9 - 11). 5 "Examine (peirazete) or prove yourselves, whether you are in the faith; prove (dokimazete) or discern yourselves. Know ye not yourselves how Jesus Christ is in you unless you are discredited (adokimoi) or reprobate?" There is a slight difference in the words "examine" and "prove." To examine means to put yourself to the test; to prove means to make a critical examination. Someone has explained this verse this way. Ralph Nader may examine some product to see if it meets a certain standard (this is called quality control) and the test is performed under controlled conditions; whereas, General Motors may make a critical examination of their own product to see if it meets their standards because their name is behind their product. Yeager says Paul is probably writing, "'You do realize do you not, that Christ Jesus associates Himself with you.' Of course, if they failed the test they would not realize the presence of Jesus in their lives" (Volume XIII, p. 553). The word for reprobates (adokimoi) could mean a castaway or a "cracked pot," one that is of no use because of the crack in it; unable to measure up to an approved standard, worthless or unfit. Other passages, where the word is used, are Romans 1:28; I Corinthians 9:27; II Corinthians 13:6, 7; II Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:16 and Hebrews 6:8. Garland thinks the word adokimoi may also mean "counterfeit." Spurgeon writes concerning proving something, "A man is about to buy a horse; he thinks that possibly he may find out some flaw, and therefore he examines it; but after he has examined it, he says, 'Let me have it for a week, that I may prove the animal before I invest in him'" (B. I., Volume XLIV, p. 510). Gould writes, "(Paul tells the Corinthians what) to do in view of his coming (they are) to prove themselves, so as to be prepared for his coming...(they are to) examine their lives to see whether they correspond with a living and spiritual faith in Christ...If they are not genuine, (if they) do not abide the proof, then Christ is not in them" (p. 224).

6 - 10 "But I trust that ye shall know that we are not discredited, now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we appear as discredited. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak and ye are strong; and this also we wish, even your perfection (katartisin) or maturity. Therefore, I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness (apotomos) or with asperity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification (oikodomen) or building up, and not to destruction (kathairesin) or tearing down." Paul indicates that he wanted to pass the test some day as well as the Corinthians; he will be approved (dokimoi) or disapproved (adokimoi) or discredited in the eyes of Jehovah God as will everyone. The best way for vacillating Christians to stop doing evil is to draw close to Christ. If they are to be accredited by His power and faithfulness, they will be tested. Paul prays that the Corinthians will do no evil thing. They have been taught the truth; if they sin they sin against truth. Paul wanted them to live as near perfect lives as was possible; he wanted them to mature. He also wanted for himself and for the Corinthians the name of building up and never tearing down.

11 - 14 "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect (kataptizesthe), be ready, or be prepared, be of good comfort, be of one mind (proneite) or be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints greet you (aspazontai), embrace you or send you their regards. The grace (charis) of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love (agape) of God, and the communion (koinonia) of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." Paul wants the Corinthians to live happily; he writes, Be cheerful; always be happy, comfort each other; think alive; be at peace. Kiss each other (men kissed men and women kissed women); this action was somewhat like our warm and friendly handshakes. Yeager says, "A Church of the Brethren lay minister once said at the close of a foot-washing ceremony, a part of which involved the kiss, that it was difficult not to love with our Christian love someone who had just washed his feet and then kissed him on the cheek!" (p. 559). God's love, Christ's gift of grace and the Holy Spirit's fellowship; what else does the Christian need? Robertson writes of verse 14, "This benediction is the most complete of them all. It presents the persons of the Trinity in full form...We know from Romans 15:19 that Paul went round about unto Illyricum before, apparently, he came on to Corinth. When he did arrive (Acts 20:1 - 3) the troubles from the Judaizers had disappeared. Probably the leaders left after the coming of Titus and the brethren with this Epistle. The reading of it in the church would make a stir of no small proportions. But it did the work" (p. 271).

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"Would we know the character of St. Paul, this, the most personal of all his writings, should be carefully studied; as Stanley well says, 'This Epistle becomes the most striking instance of what is the case, more or less, with all his writings: a new philosophy of life poured forth. Not through systematic treatises, but through occasional bursts of human feeling'" (Goodwin, p. 213).

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