Day 21 – 2 Corinthians 13

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.^[1]

“Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Eugene Peterson puts it this way in The Message, “A matter becomes clear after two or three witnesses give evidence”^[2] Many, including me, have interpreted this sentence from the apostle to refer to any matter that is in any kind of dispute, and in the larger sense such an interpretation is appropriate. But when put into the context of the situation the apostle addresses in Corinth its meaning is much more narrow. Reading this final chapter in his letter we now know that the challenge the apostle here faces comes from persons who seek proof that Christ speaks through him. We also know that this is the third time that he has had to address this same crowd and that he has grown weary of going easy on them. The testing in this context then is specific to this particular challenge. If this crowd wants proof of his apostolic authority then they should test it against two or three witnesses, and a witness is one who has first hand knowledge. There is another side of this interpretation I think. Not only should they seek the testimony of two or three witnesses concerning Paul, but themselves as well.

It is easy to throw stones at others. It is easy to question another’s faith. It is easy to make assumptions based upon limited information. But before we arrive at conclusions about matters that are in dispute we would do well to enlist the counsel and advice of those who have the necessary information we seek; particularly when the dispute involves people. But more than that, we should examine ourselves to insure we are solid in the faith taking nothing for granted. Do you remember Jesus asked the question, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye” (Matthew 7:5)? Test yourself!

Dear heavenly Father, we grieve over our sisters and brothers caught in the repeated cycle of sin. We grieve having to admit that we have too often been in that place ourselves. We are quick to condemn the faith of others but when testing our own faith we must admit to too often failing the test. Lord, restore our focus. Help us to take our eyes off of others and look to our own lives, our own walk with You. This we ask in the powerful name of Jesus our Christ. Amen.

^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 2 Co 13:1–14.

^[2] Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), 2 Co 13.