2 Corinthians 13
Today's Passage: 2 Corinthians 13
The Desire for Reconciliation.
First, Paul warns the church of potential judgment (v. 1-4). Paul had already called out sin twice in some of the Corinthians – if he did it again, he would not spare them (v. 2). In Deuteronomy 19:15, two or three witnesses was enough evidence to convict someone of wrongdoing. Paul warns them.
But second, we see Paul’s desire for reconciliation (v. 5-10). His wanted them to recognize their wrongdoing and repent (v. 5-6). He didn’t want to exercise his authority and bring upon penalties for those who were in sin (v. 10).
Thirdly, Paul calls the Corinthian church to help one another in their pursuit of Christ (v. 11-13). They were to comfort one another, agree on things, live at peace with God and others, etc.
Paul’s goal was to see the church flourishing in Christ, and sometimes that means having difficult conversations and making decisions that could hurt people. His ultimate goal was to see those who had strayed off be restored.
For us, do we take sin this seriously? Are we calling it out in our own lives, in our discipleships, in our friendships? Are we taking seriously the glory of God? Paul was willing to do whatever it took for people to be walking in holiness – even if it meant church discipline. But sin is serious, and we need to treat it that way in our lives and the lives of the people around us – with the goal of restoration. The goal is and should always be restoration.
Do you need to repent of anything? Has someone sinned against you that you need to go talk to? Have you noticed a sin pattern in your disciple you need to bring up to them?
But as we close 2 Corinthians, be reminded of verse 14 (one of my favorite verses all time): The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Written By: Brice Stockton
The Desire for Reconciliation.
First, Paul warns the church of potential judgment (v. 1-4). Paul had already called out sin twice in some of the Corinthians – if he did it again, he would not spare them (v. 2). In Deuteronomy 19:15, two or three witnesses was enough evidence to convict someone of wrongdoing. Paul warns them.
But second, we see Paul’s desire for reconciliation (v. 5-10). His wanted them to recognize their wrongdoing and repent (v. 5-6). He didn’t want to exercise his authority and bring upon penalties for those who were in sin (v. 10).
Thirdly, Paul calls the Corinthian church to help one another in their pursuit of Christ (v. 11-13). They were to comfort one another, agree on things, live at peace with God and others, etc.
Paul’s goal was to see the church flourishing in Christ, and sometimes that means having difficult conversations and making decisions that could hurt people. His ultimate goal was to see those who had strayed off be restored.
For us, do we take sin this seriously? Are we calling it out in our own lives, in our discipleships, in our friendships? Are we taking seriously the glory of God? Paul was willing to do whatever it took for people to be walking in holiness – even if it meant church discipline. But sin is serious, and we need to treat it that way in our lives and the lives of the people around us – with the goal of restoration. The goal is and should always be restoration.
Do you need to repent of anything? Has someone sinned against you that you need to go talk to? Have you noticed a sin pattern in your disciple you need to bring up to them?
But as we close 2 Corinthians, be reminded of verse 14 (one of my favorite verses all time): The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Written By: Brice Stockton
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