What Ministry Is All About, Part 19
In our message, EXAMINE YOURSELVES (2 Cor. 13:1-14), we finished our series in the book of Second Corinthians. Paul continues here to speak of his impending return to Corinth which is also a picture of Christ’s return for us (1 Cor. 12:14; 13:1a). Paul was afraid, that when he came, he would “not find [them]… as [he] wished,” and they also would not be looking forward to his coming (2 Cor. 12:20a) so he urged them to deal with the problem now. 2 Corinthians 13:1b also shows us the church is called to do its job by exercising discipline, when necessary, so Christians are ready for that Day (1 Cor. 13:1b; Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:15-18 Heb. 10:25; 1 John 2:28, etc.). While Paul promised, when he came, he would use a scriptural method for dealing with their sin- not acting on hearsay (2 Cor. 13:1b; Matt. 18:16), it is clear when Jesus returns, He will already know any “the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsel of the hearts” of His children (1 Cor. 4:5) making “all” manifest at “the judgement seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:9-10, etc.).
Paul notes he “told” them “before” to deal with the sins “which they… practiced” and that if they did not do so now, he would “not spare anyone” when he came (2 Cor. 12:21; 13:2 NET). At that time, Paul assured them though he was weak, Christ whom he served was not (2 Cor. 10:4), and he would give them all the proof they needed that Christ spoke through him when he came (2 Cor. 13:3-4 NLT; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Cor. 4:19-21). Likewise, when Jesus returns for us, it will be in unsurpassable power and glory (Titus 2:13; 1 Tim. 6:12-16, etc.). In view of this, we are called to “examine ourselves” to see if we are walking in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5a).
Many scholars will apply verse 5 solely to lost people saying they need to examine their hearts to see if they are really saved and part of the church, and it is true if a person has never trusted Jesus as his or her Savior and is relying on doing ‘good things’ to get to heaven, he is lost and needs to “be born again” (i.e. John 3:7, 16; 14:6; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Acts 4:12, etc.). But the context of the books of First and Second Corinthians is speaking to Christians in the church at Corinth (e.g. 2 Cor. 1:1, 24; 7:1; 8:1, 12-14, etc.). Though many were “carnal” not progressing in their faith and “babes in Christ,” they were still saved by grace (1 Cor. 3:1-3, etc.). The issue was not them coming to faith in Jesus but becoming “complete” in the faith they already possessed (see 2 Cor. 13:9, 11 also for context). The Bible Knowledge Commentary accurately explains, “Now he handed the lens to the Corinthians, with the challenge that they consider their own conduct (yourselves is in the emphatic position in the Gr.). Paul’s question is usually construed with regard to positional justification: were they Christians are not? But it is more likely concerned with practical sanctification: did they demonstrate that they were in the faith (1 Cor. 16:13) and that Christ was in them by their obeying His will? To stand the test was to do what was right. To fail was to be disobedient and therefore subject to God’s discipline.” In addition to this, the word “disqualified” (Grk. adókimos) in chapter 13 is used only in one other place in the books of First and Second Corinthians- namely 1 Corinthians 9:27 where Paul (a saved man) uses it of himself! (i.e. “ I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”). In that passage of Scripture, Paul explains it is NOT eternal life but “the prize” or “crown,” that is in view (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Salvation, in contrast, is a gift, and all Christians are already in the race in that sense, heaven-bound (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:23, etc.). Paul knew, in spite of all his training and ability; it was possible he could lose reward (1 Cor. 3:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-10). So he purposed to not let his body master him (1 Cor. 6:12) and sometimes denied even its demand for rightful privileges and pleasure (1 Cor. 8:9) for a greater good (1 Cor. 10:33, see our Sept. 22, 2024 message RUNNING TO WIN for additional information on this topic). As my Bible study notes explain, “Paul did not doubt they were true believers… He wanted them to ask themselves whether they were walking with according to the gospel they professed.” Paul notes here, as he defends God’s Word, he is “not disqualified” (2 Cor. 13:8). That is, he did not fail the test as a true apostle of God because he was walking by faith and doing what God asked him to do as he defended the Bible (2 Cor. 13:8 NLT).
Paul then prayed for them to #1 stop sinning/repent (i.e. “do no evil”) so they would #2 become “complete” in Christ (2 Cor. 13:7, 9). The “do no evil” statement in verse 7 is referencing the sins carnal Christians in Corinth were practicing (2 Cor. 12:20-21), and the word “complete” in verse 9 means to become ‘fully qualified,’ ‘mature,’ and even ‘perfect.’ Fully qualified, of course, is the opposite of the possibility of being ‘disqualified’ from reward (2 Cor. 13:5) for a Christian who is living faithlessly and not ready for Jesus when He comes for us (1 Cor. 3:15; 1 John 2:28, etc.). This word ‘complete’ in verse 9 is also used to describe the setting of bones (e.g. Heb. 12:12-13). Paul emphasizes here he would rather not exercise his apostolic authority at his return through discipline even though that is what some of the foolish Corinthians were demanding (2 Cor. 13:8, 10). Still, if necessary, Paul would “use sharpness,” for the ultimate purpose of building up God’s children in love (2 Cor. 13:10 NLT).
In the end, all of God’s children will be glorified as they are swallowed up in life because God’s grace (Rom. 8:30; 1 Cor. 15:51-52, etc.). And Paul finishes this book to the church speaking of that boundless amazing grace that never lets us go (2 Cor. 13:11-14; Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:31-39, etc.) *For more information on this message, please see SBFC’s June 22, 2025 sermon above.