Paul’s final warnings to Corinthian believers

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Paul’s final warnings to Corinthian believers     

2 Corinthians 13: 1-2 “This will be the third time I am coming to you. By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established. I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare.” The Maxwell Leadership Bible

Extra Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:1-10

Our human nature resist being rebuked for any faulty behaviour we display to others. Paul, as an apostle, had that authority to rebuke God’s people whenever God instructs him to do so. In this section Paul gives his final warnings to the Corinthians. When Paul comes to Corinth, he will punish those who have not repented of their sins. But he will not listen to unproven charges. Every accusation will have to be proven by the testimony of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16).  We do have immature believers who hear one side of the story and rush to report to church leaders without verifying facts. Thank God that Paul will not listen to any accusation brought by only one person. Let me say it here that a true “witness” is not someone who merely repeats someone else’s accusation; rather, he is a person who has seen something with his own eyes or heard it with his own ears. Let me clarify this that those who repeat someone else’s critical talk are not witnesses; rather, they are gossips and slanderers (see Romans 1:29-30; 2 Corinthians 12:20). Not only that, but witnesses must be of one mind; their testimony must be in agreement. When the witnesses are not in agreement with each other, then no judgment or decision should be made. There is always a danger that a witness will try to falsely accuse a believer (see Psalm 27:12; Mark 14:55-56; Acts 6:12-13). False witnesses who accuse other Christians can be found within the church; they do the church great harm.

From verse 2 we learn that Paul had warned the Christians earlier that when he came he would punish the unrepentant sinners. Now Paul gives them a final warning. People should remember that God will bear with an unrepentant sinner for a long time, but not forever! The Corinthians (verse 3) had demanded proof that Paul was a true apostle of Christ.  I am sure that Paul said, “Okay, I I’ll give you proof. If you do not repent, you will soon discover that I have the full power and authority of Christ! That will prove to you that I am His true apostle.” When Christ was crucified, He appeared weak like other men. But Christ was raised from the dead by God’s great power, and now He lives by God’s power. In the same way, Paul appears weak; but he too, lives by God’s power (see Romans 6:5, 8; Galatians 2:20). At first Paul came to the Corinthians in weakness, in meekness and gentleness (1 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 10:1). But now Paul is ready to come to the Corinthians with the power and authority of Christ Himself. If Paul came to your church today, what would he find? How would he come? Would he come with a whip, or with a gentle spirit? (1 Corinthians 4:21).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please make us to be humble to be rebuked and be corrected. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Rev. Samuel N. Modise         

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