Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
Three to Get Ready!
As Paul brought his letter to a close, his great love for the Corinthians constrained him to make one last appeal. He did not want his third visit to their church to be another painful experience for them and for him. He had opened his heart to them, explained his ministry, answered their accusations, and urged them to submit to the Word of God and obey the Lord. What more could he say or do?
In this closing section of the letter, Paul used three approaches in his attempt to motivate the Corinthians toward obedience and submission.
1. HE SHAMED THEM (12:11–21)
When we were children, how many times did we hear, “Shame on you!” from a parent or a neighbor? It is a good thing when people can be ashamed of their bad actions or attitudes. It is evidence of a hard heart and a calloused conscience when a guilty person no longer feels shame. “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush” (Jer. 6:15).
First, Paul shamed the Corinthians for their lack of commendation (2 Cor. 12:11–13). They should have been boasting about him instead of compelling him to boast. Instead, the Corinthians were boasting about the “super-apostles” (12:11 NIV), the Judaizers who had won their affection and were now running their church.
Was Paul inferior to these men? In no way! The Corinthians had seen Paul in action; in fact, they owed their very souls to him. He had done among them the miraculous signs that proved his apostleship (Heb. 2:1–4). He had persevered in his ministry at Corinth in spite of external persecution and internal problems. He had cost the church nothing. Paul used his subtle irony again when he wrote, “How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!” (2 Cor. 12:13 NIV).
One of the dangers of the Christian life is that of getting accustomed to our blessings. A godly pastor or Sunday school teacher can do so much for us that we begin to take the ministry for granted. (To be fair, I must admit that pastors are sometimes guilty of taking their church members for granted.) This attitude led Paul to shame them for their lack of appreciation (2 Cor. 12:14–18).
In spite of the difficulties involved, Paul had been faithful to visit the Corinthians; and now he was about to make his third visit (see 2 Cor. 13:1). Instead of being grateful, the Corinthians criticized Paul for changing his plans. Paul had taken no support from the church, but rather had given sacrificially for the church; yet they were unwilling to show their appreciation by sharing with others. It seemed that the more Paul loved them, the less they loved Paul! Why? Because they did not have a sincere love for Christ (2 Cor. 11:3). Paul was willing to “spend and expend” in order to help the church.
The Judaizers had used crafty methods in order to exploit the church (see 2 Cor. 4:2), but Paul had been open and without guile. The only “trick” Paul had played on them was his refusal to receive financial support. In this, he disarmed them so that they could never accuse him of being interested only in money. None of the associates that Paul sent to them exploited them in any way or took advantage of them.
It is a tragic thing when children do not appreciate what their parents do for them. It is also a tragedy when God’s children fail to appreciate what their “spiritual parents” do for them. What is the cause of this lack of appreciation? Paul dealt with it in the next paragraph: lack of consecration (2 Cor. 12:19–21). There were terrible sins in the church, and Paul wanted them judged and put away before he came for his visit. Otherwise, his visit would just be another painful experience.
Some of the church members were probably saying, “If Paul visits us again, he will just create more problems!” Paul made it clear that his desire was to solve problems and strengthen the church. Sins in the church must be faced honestly and dealt with courageously. To sweep them under the rug is to make matters worse. Sin in the church is like cancer in the human body: it must be cut out.
Consider the sins that the church was guilty of, sins that should have been confessed and put away. They were guilty of quarreling (debates) because they envied one another. They had sudden explosions of anger (wraths). They promoted carnal intrigues and plots in the church (strifes), which involved backbitings and whisperings. All of this was born out of pride and an exaggerated sense of importance (swellings) and resulted in disorder in the church (tumults) (2 Cor. 12:20). If you will compare this list of sins with 1 Corinthians 13, you will see that there was a lack of love in the congregation.
Along with these “sins of the spirit” (see 2 Cor. 7:1), there were also gross sins of the flesh—fornication and lasciviousness (debauchery). Paul had dealt with these sins in 1 Corinthians 5 and 6, but some of the offenders had persisted in their disobedience. They were permitting their old life to take over again (1 Cor. 6:9–11), instead of yielding to the new life.
Paul did not eagerly anticipate this third visit. He feared that he would not find the church as he wanted it to be, and that they would not find him as they wanted him to be. But Paul promised them that, though he would be humbled and grieved (the word means “to grieve for the dead”), he would still use his authority to straighten things out. His love for them was too great for him to ignore these problems and permit them to continue to weaken the church.
The Corinthians should have been ashamed, but they were not. To assure that he would get his message across, Paul used a second approach.
2. HE WARNED THEM (13:1–8)
There are two warnings here.
(1) “Prepare yourselves!” (vv. 1–4). In dealing with sin in a local church, we must have facts and not rumors. Paul quoted Deuteronomy 19:15, and we find parallels in Numbers 35:30 and Matthew 18:16, as well as 1 Timothy 5:19. The presence of witnesses would help to guarantee the truth about a matter, especially when the church members were at such variance with one another.
Had the church members followed the instructions given by Jesus in Matthew 18:15–20, they would have solved most of their problems themselves. I have seen small disagreements in a church grow into large and complicated problems, only because the believers did not obey our Lord’s directions. The pastor and congregation must not get involved in a matter until the individuals involved have sincerely sought a solution.
The Judaizers in the church had accused Paul of being a weak man (see 2 Cor. 10:7–11). Their approach to ministry was heavy-handed and dictatorial, while Paul’s was gentle and humble (see 2 Cor. 1:24). Now Paul assured them that he would show them how strong he could be—if that is what it took to solve the problems. “I will not spare!” was his warning, and he used a word that means “to spare in battle.” In short, Paul was declaring war on anybody who opposed the authority of God’s Word.
“Let Paul prove he is a true apostle!” said his opponents. Paul’s reply was, “Like Jesus Christ, I am strong when it appears I am weak.” On the cross, Jesus Christ manifested weakness; but the cross is still “the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). Paul had already explained his method of spiritual warfare (2 Cor. 10:1–6) and had cautioned his readers not to look on the surface of things, but to look deeper.
By the standards of the world, both Jesus and Paul were weak; but by the standards of the Lord, both were strong. It is a wise and mature worker who knows when to be “weak” and when to be “strong” as he deals with the discipline problems in the local church.
A pastor friend of mine, now in heaven, had a quiet manner of delivery in the pulpit, and a similar approach in his personal ministry. After hearing him preach, a visitor said, “I kept waiting for him to start preaching!” She was accustomed to hearing a loud preacher who generated more heat than light. But my friend built a strong church because he knew the true standards for ministry. He knew how to be “weak in Christ” and also how to be “strong.”
How do people measure the ministry today? By powerful oratory or by biblical content? By what the media says or by Christian character? Too many Christians follow the world’s standards when they evaluate ministries, and they need to pay attention to God’s standards.
(2) “Examine yourselves!” (vv. 5–8). This paragraph is an application of the word proof that Paul used in 2 Corinthians 13:3. “You have been examining me,” wrote Paul, “but why don’t you take time to examine yourselves?” I have noticed in my ministry that those who are quick to examine and condemn others are often guilty of worse sins themselves. In fact, one way to make yourself look better is to condemn somebody else.
To begin with, Paul told the Corinthians that they should examine their hearts to see if they were really born again and members of the family of God. Do you have the witness of the Holy Spirit in your heart (Rom. 8:9, 16)? Do you “love the brethren” (1 John 3:14)? Do you practice righteousness (1 John 2:29; 3:9)? Have you overcome the world so that you are living a life of godly separation (1 John 5:4)? These are just a few of the tests we can apply to our own lives to be certain that we are the children of God.
In one of the churches I pastored, we had a teenager who was the center of every problem in the youth group. He was a gifted musician and a member of the church, but nevertheless he was a problem. One summer when he went off to our church youth camp, the youth leaders and church officers and I agreed together to pray for him daily. At one of the meetings, he got up and announced that he had been saved that week! His Christian profession up to that time had been counterfeit. He experienced a dramatic change in his life, and today he is serving the Lord faithfully.
No doubt many of the problems in the church at Corinth were caused by people who professed to be saved, but who had never repented and trusted Jesus Christ. Our churches are filled with such people today. Paul called such people reprobate, which means “counterfeit, discredited after a test.” Paul used this word again in 2 Corinthians 13:6–7, emphasizing the fact that it is important for a person to know for sure that he is saved and going to heaven (see 1 John 5:11–13).
In 2 Corinthians 13:7, Paul made it clear that he did not want the Corinthians to fail the test just to prove that he was right. Nor did he want them to live godly lives just so he could boast about them. He did not mind being despised and criticized for their sakes, so long as they were obeying the Lord. He was not concerned about his own reputation, for the Lord knew his heart; but he was concerned about their Christian character.
The important thing is the truth of the gospel and the Word of God (2 Cor. 13:8). Paul did not state here that it is impossible to attack the truth or hinder the truth, for these things were going on at that time in the Corinthian church. He was affirming that he and his associates wanted the truth to prevail, come what may, and that they were determined to further the truth, not obstruct it. In the end, God’s truth will prevail, so why try to oppose it? “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord” (Prov. 21:30).
3. HE ENCOURAGED THEM (13:9–14)
To begin with, Paul encouraged the Corinthians by his personal prayers on their behalf (2 Cor. 13:9). The word translated “wish” in the King James Version carries the meaning of “pray.” Paul prayed for their perfection, which does not mean absolute sinless perfection, but “spiritual maturity.” The word is part of a word family in the Greek that means “to be fitted out, to be equipped.” As a medical term, it means “to set a broken bone, to adjust a twisted limb.” It also means “to outfit a ship for a voyage” and “to equip an army for battle.” In Matthew 4:21, it is translated “mending nets.”
One of the ministries of our risen Lord is that of perfecting His people (Heb. 13:20–21). He uses the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16–17) in the fellowship of the local church (Eph. 4:11–16) to equip His people for life and service. He also uses suffering as a tool to equip us (1 Peter 5:10). As Christians pray for one another (1 Thess. 3:10) and personally assist one another (Gal. 6:1, where “restore” is this same word perfect), the exalted Lord ministers to His church and makes them fit for ministry.
Balanced Christian growth and ministry is impossible in isolation. Someone has said that you can no more raise one Christian than you can raise one bee. Christians belong to each other and need each other. A baby must grow up in a loving family if it is to be balanced and normal. The emphasis today on the individual Christian, as apart from his place in a local assembly, is wrong and very dangerous. We are sheep, and we must flock together. We are members of the same body, and we must minister to one another.
In 2 Corinthians 13:10, Paul gave the Corinthians a second encouragement: the Word of God. Paul wrote this letter to meet the immediate needs of a local congregation, but we today benefit from it because it is a part of the inspired Word of God. This letter carries the same authority as the presence of the apostle himself. Paul’s great desire was that the congregation’s obedience to the letter solve their problems, so that he would not have to exercise authority when he visited them.
Sometimes the minister of the Word must tear down before he can build up (see Jer. 1:7–10). The farmer must pull up the weeds before he can plant the seeds and get a good crop. Paul had to tear down the wrong thinking in the minds of the Corinthians (2 Cor. 10:4–6) before he could build up the truth in their hearts and minds. The negative attitude of the Corinthians made it necessary for Paul to destroy, but his great desire was to build.
In my own ministry, I have been through two building programs and two remodeling programs and, in spite of all their demands, building programs to me are much easier. It is much simpler and less expensive to build a new structure on unimproved land than to tear down walls and try to remodel an old building. Likewise, it is much easier to take a new believer and teach him the Word than it is to try to change the wrong thinking of an older saint. Wrong ideas can hold out against the truth for a long time, until the Spirit of God demolishes the walls in the mind.
Paul encouraged the saints to cultivate grace, love, and peace (2 Cor. 13:11–12). The word translated “farewell” means “grace,” a common form of greeting in that day. It can also be translated “rejoice.” The command be perfect relates to Paul’s prayer in 2 Corinthians 13:9 and carries the idea “be mature, be restored and fitted for life.” Be of good comfort means “be encouraged.” In spite of all their sins and problems, they had every right to be encouraged.
“Live in peace” was a needed admonition, for there were divisions and dissensions in the church (see 2 Cor. 12:20). If they practiced love and sought to be of one mind, the wars would cease and they would enjoy peace in their fellowship. To “be of one mind” does not mean that we all agree on everything, but that we agree to disagree over matters that are not essential.
Our God is the “God of love and peace” (2 Cor. 13:11). Can the outside world tell that from the way we live and the way we conduct the business of the church? “Behold how they love one another!” was what the lost world said about the early church, but it has been a long time since the church has earned that kind of commendation.
Since ancient times, the kiss has been a form of greeting and a gesture of love and fellowship. However, it was usually exchanged between members of the same sex. The early church used the kiss of peace and kiss of love as evidences of their affection and concern for one another. It was a “holy kiss,” sanctified because of their devotion to Jesus Christ. Members of the early church often kissed new believers after their baptism and thus welcomed them into the fellowship.
The everyday fellowship of God’s people is important to the church. We must greet each other in other places as well as the fellowship of the assembly, and we must show concern for each other. In giving this admonition in 2 Corinthians 13:12, Paul was certainly hitting hard at one of the most serious problems in the church: their division and lack of concern for one another.
The closing benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 is one of the most beloved used in the church. It emphasizes the Trinity (see Matt. 28:19) and the blessings we can receive because we belong to God. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us of His birth, when He became poor in order to make us rich (see 2 Cor. 8:9). The “love of God” takes us to Calvary, where God gave His Son as the sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16). The “communion of the Holy Ghost” reminds us of Pentecost, when the Spirit of God came and formed the church (Acts 2).
The Corinthian believers then, and all believers now, desperately needed the blessings of grace, love, and communion. The Judaizers then, and the cultists today, emphasized law instead of grace, exclusiveness instead of love, and independence rather than communion (fellowship). The competition in the Corinthian church, resulting in divisions, would have been solved if the people had only lived by God’s grace and love.
The church is a miracle, and it can be sustained only by the miracle ministry of God. No amount of human skill, talents, or programs can make the church what it ought to be. Only God can do that. If each believer is depending on the grace of God, walking in the love of God, and participating in the fellowship of the Spirit, not walking in the flesh, then he will be a part of the answer and not a part of the problem. He will be living this benediction—and being a benediction to others!
Ask God to make you that kind of Christian.
Be encouraged—and then encourage others.
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION
OR GROUP DISCUSSION
1. When is shame appropriate?
2. Why did Paul shame the Corinthians?
3. How can it be harmful when believers start to take their blessings for granted? What might you be taking for granted?
4. What does it mean to have a “lack of consecration”?
5. For what were the Corinthians exhorted to examine themselves?
6. How would you go about examining yourself?
7. What did Paul pray for the Corinthian church? What do you pray for your church?
8. What means does God use to perfect, complete, or mature His people?
9. What did Paul encourage the Corinthian believers to do in 13:11? Which of these exhortations does your church need to hear most? Why?
10. How can believers and churches live out Paul’s benediction?