Dwell in the Word: 2 Corinthains 13:1-14

Consider these questions as you dwell in 2 Corinthians 13:1-14:

1. How does Paul's emphasis on weakness align with the concept of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection as a source of strength in the Christian faith?

2. In what ways does Paul's call for self-examination resonate with the idea of living out one's faith rather than doubting salvation? How does this tie into the concept of trusting in Christ's strength during moments of weakness?

3. Paul emphasizes the restoration of those who might have faltered in their faith. How does this act of restoration reflect the ultimate goal of Christ's teachings and the essence of the Christian faith, especially amidst challenges and uncertainties?

Transcript:

As we finish up here, we see Paul giving us a nice summary of the point that he's really been making. We've been on quite a journey through Second Corinthians here, seeing all of the emotions that have been involved, essentially culminating in that last chapter when Paul told the story of his being taken into heaven.

This has been a very interesting book hasn't it? But there is a reason that he keeps on coming back to this idea of weakness. We see that here in verse four, he talks about Jesus, going back to his example, for he was crucified in weakness but lives by the power of God. For we are also weak in him, but dealing with you, we will live with him by the power of God. Paul is trusting that God is at work, and he is saying hey, look the weaknesses that you see in me. The weaknesses that these Super Apostles are saying I have so that I must clearly not be the messenger from God. Look, our example is Christ, and in his weakness, he is the one who has saved us. And so, Paul wants him to understand that that this is why he keeps going back to his weakness, and not boasting about the great things that they do but instead boasting in the way that they've been persecuted and the way they've been faithful, regardless of what has been happening to them. And then he turns it on them doesn't he. We see that in verses 5-9 examine yourselves see whether you're in the faith. Test yourselves, do you not realize this about yourself? That Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed you fail to meet the test. He's saying, hey you have Jesus and if you understood the power that he has. If you rested in him, you wouldn't be worried about these things of the flesh. You wouldn't be worried about all the things that you were seeking. Instead, you would be finding comfort in the sufficiency of what he has done for you. And so, what does Paul say? He says that we pray to God that you may not do wrong. Not that we appear to have met the test. Not that it's about them. That you may do what is right, though we may have seemed to fail, he's not concerned about what they did. He doesn't want them to be excellent examples of the faith so that he can brag about it or so that he can feel good about himself. What he wants is for them to be faithful because of what Christ has done. So, what do we see here in verse nine? For we are glad when we are weak, you are strong. They are not worried about themselves. What are they concerned about? The restoration of those who have sinned the restoration of those who have maybe turned away from the faith following these super apostles. They are concerned about them, and they're coming back to Christ and trusting in him alone.

And that is what our concern should be as we look at this passage we see some wonderful examples for us to apply. First of all, we need to remember that in when we feel weak, that we feel tested, that we should remember what Christ endured. That it was in his weakness that we find our salvation, it was when he was tested with turning away that he sweat drops of blood. He went faithfully to the cross, and so when we are weak, we can look to his strength and trust that God is at work in us and we also need to remember to examine ourselves. Not for the purpose of questioning "Oh no, am I really saved, but to say, 'how am I living out this faith that i have how'" Am I exhibiting the truth that the Holy Spirit has given me? The gift of faith. So, may we examine ourselves. May we consider this, and may we come out of that desiring to be a more faithful people. That Jesus might be glorified, because he has saved us in weakness. May we be strong even though we have periods of weakness. May we move forward and trust in his strength, not in our own.