2 Corinthians 13 – Devotional & Commentary
Posted on February 18th, 2010 by debbiefitz in Devotions, SyndicatedDevotional Questions:
2 Corinthians 13:1-4
- What basic assumption must the Corinthians have had regarding the true measure of spiritual authority?
- What is ironic about the Corinthians “demanding proof that Christ is speaking through” Apostle Paul when there is obvious sin in their lives, including “impurity, sexual sin and debauchery” (2 Cor 12:21)?
- Why would it be a mistake to think of Christ as “weak” in his dealings with Christians?
2 Corinthians 13:5-6
- Why is it important for me to examine myself to see if I am “in the faith?”
2 Corinthians 13:7-9
- Given the words of judgment in vv. 1-4, what is surprising about Apostle Paul’s prayers for the Corinthians?
- What does v. 8 reveal about what is necessary in order for the Corinthians to reach perfection?
2 Corinthians 13:10
- How did Apostle Paul view his authority?
- When would a spiritual leader’s “harsh…use of authority” be appropriate?
Commentary:
vv.1-2 “According to Acts 18:1-17, Paul had an extended mission in Corinth when he founded the church. The second visit was painful and short. It was unplanned and undertaken to quell rebellion in Corinth. Paul’s grievous confrontation with an individual in the church caused him to cut the visit short. Though he sounds annoyed and disturbed in this section of the letter and paints an alarming picture of a church infested with strife and immorality, he has been successful enough through the severe letter and the personal intervention of Titus, and, he trusts, through this letter, to reestablish his authority over the church. He therefore warns them that he comes ready to punish every disobedience and to purge all pockets of resistance.”[1]
v.5 “‘To see whether you are in the faith’ may also be translated ‘to see whether you are holding the faith’ (RSV). ‘Faith’ here does not refer simply to trust in Christ, which is its primary meaning in Paul’s usage, but to the whole Christian way and truth (Titus 1:13; 2:2). It is not a matter of examining their doctrines, however, but of bringing their conduct and thinking into conformity with their belief in Christ.”[2]
“The test to see if Christ is in the Corinthians will be their response to Paul and his call to repent, since God’s message and the messenger are one (5:18–6:2).”[3]
v.9 “The noun translated ‘perfection’ appears only here in the New Testament. The verb form is more common and is used for restoring something to its original condition or to make it fit for its purpose. […] The verb form also appears in the New Testament with the sense of restoring something that is damaged, such as fishing nets (Matt 4:21; Mark 1:19), supplying what is lacking in a church’s faith (1 Thess 3:10) […] and restoring a church member who is caught in a sin (Gal 6:1). This last usage best fits the context of Corinthians. Paul is not talking about their ‘perfection’ but their ‘reclamation.’ […] The Corinthians need reconditioning, restoring. They need to reknit their relationship with Paul, their relationship with one another, and their relationship with the crucified and resurrected Christ. […] The goal of the Corinthians’ restoration is that they will do what is pleasing to God (5:9).”[4]
[1] David Garland, “2 Corinthians,” The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999) 539-40.
[2] David Garland, “2 Corinthians,” The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999) 546.
[3] ESV Study Bible, Notes for 2 Corinthians (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008) 2240.
[4] David Garland, “2 Corinthians,” The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999) 549-50.
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