Verses 1-4 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
The Apostle Paul ends his epistle by appearing to state that he is going to return for a third time to the Corinthian church. However, some believe that verse one above means that this was the third time he was addressing the problems in the Corinthian church and does not necessarily refer to an actual, physical visit. This is based on how the verses above are read, especially verse two in which he stated, “as if I were present”. Verse one, if referring to a future, physical visit should read, “I am comming to you a third time” placing the grammar in the future tense. Instead, it is written in the present tense – “this is the third time I am coming to you”. So it could be that at least the second and third times he “came to them” were in the writings of the second and third epistles or letters in which he was correcting the problems that had come to his attention. Regardless of whether he physically went to Corinth 3 times or meant that his letters had the same weight as his actually being there because he was speaking with the power of the Holy Ghost/Spirit is inconsequential. The Corinthian church was told to stop sinning and start following after the LORD Jesus Christ in the manner they had been shown and instructed by Paul and the other apostles.
Verses 5-6 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
Here the Apostle Paul exhorts the members of the Corinthian church to take a good look at themselves as far as their spirituality and walk with Jesus is concerned. Are they like Jesus or are they like those in the world? Are they truly saved from sin, death and Hell? Since Jesus Christ lives in His people, they should be different from those in the world and be like Jesus and their fruits should demonstrate how they think, act, feel and live. Are they living righteously or are they living like a devil? The Greek word translated as “reprobates” is “adokimos” and it means not standing the test, not approved, and that which is unfit. The Apostle Paul and his fellow workers in the ministry had proved themselves over and over again through trials and tribulations. They never faltered in their love for Jesus and in their goal of spreading the Gospel message to the world. They stood the test and were victorious.
Application: As stated in many places in this web site, the epistles of the New Testament were written to Christian believers of that time and are also for Christian believers today. They are the Christian’s mail. They are not for unbelievers. So the command above for the Corinthians to examine themselves whether they be in the faith applies to all Christians today.
Verses 7-8 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 be as reprobates. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
The Apostle Paul loved the Corinthian converts as much as he loved the people in all the other churches he established or helped establish. He wanted them to grow in the faith and be strengthened in their walk with Jesus even if it meant that he appeared weak to others in and out of the Church. Sacrifice was his mode of operation if it would lead to one more convert.
Verses 9-10 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
As a leader in the Church, called and chosen by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, the Apostle Paul had the authority of the LORD behind him and therefore had the power to speak the truth in love and correct all the wrong doctrine, thinking, and acting in all the churches. He could have “come down hard” on the Corinthian church, but he wanted to correct them in epistles rather than have to travel to them and exert his power and authority. He was being gentle and some of the congregants might view this as weakness. But he wanted to be able to travel to them for the purpose of advancing their faith and for equipping them to make disciples of others rather than for the purpose of chastisement.
Verses 11-14 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 12 Greet one another with an holy kiss. 13 All the saints salute you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas. (2 Corinthians 13)
Application: The Greek word translated as “perfect” is “katartizo” and it means to mend, be perfect, fit, be sound, complete, to repair, to complete, to put in order, to be complete, to make one what he ought to be. Christian believers are to be perfect. How? By walking daily in the Spirit of Jesus Christ and by being obedient to His will and His commandments. It is the only way to live the Christian life.
Application: In many parts of the world today it is customary to kiss those being greeted with a kiss on the cheek. This may have been appropriate social behavior in the days of the Apostle Paul, but not so much today. So verse 12 is not a commandment to kiss others. This writer has been in a church where this was done as the pastor taught that kissing others in greeting was a commandment of God and Biblical. It is not a commandment, and it can lead to other people casting doubt as to the character of that particular church. In today’s climate of sexual sin and misbehavior, this can be a dangerous practice.
Application: The Apostle Paul’s closing words in verse 11 above should be words that all Christian believers take to heart and remember daily. Christians are to be like Jesus Christ: perfect, of one mind, living in peace, demonstrating the love and peace of God to others and comforting and encouraging each other.