Expressing Concern (13:1-14)

Neal Pollard

Paul brings his second epistle to the Corinthians to a close by summarizing and making appeals. He shows that a major impetus in writing this letter was to give them “proof of the Christ who” spoke in him (3). His hope is that this letter will help them realize that they didn’t fail the test of faithfulness (6) and that their motives were pure (8). He wanted to use his position to build them up and not tear them down (10). That’s why he fills his last words with expressions of concern about them, wanting them to overcome their spiritual challenges and shortcomings.

His Concern Is For Them To Be In The Faith (5)

Mixed in with his defending his character and work (6), Paul turns it around by challenging them: “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?” The word “test,” used twice in this verse, means “to try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing” (Louw-Nida, 331). “Examine” means “to make a critical examination of something to determine genuineness” (BDAG, 255). The laboratory where this testing and examination was to be conducted was in their living out their faith in their daily lives. They would be put to the test and others would be examining their faith. Paul wants them to pass!

His Concern Is For Them To Do Right (7)

What a basic, simple way to put it! As he shows in his first letter, he is willing to address wrongdoing. This follow up is to make sure they had put that behind them and that they were progressing in their faith. His primary concern, despite his robust self-defense, was not his own approval (which he knew he had with God) but theirs. 

His Concern Is For Them To Be Complete (9)

Obviously, we are all always a work in progress. Complete doesn’t mean sinlessly perfect, but completion is the goal of every Christian who wishes to ultimately overcome. This word means to function well or put in order. It also carries with it the idea of mending one’s ways, so the idea of repentance (cf. 7:10-11). He anticipated a future visit to them, and he hoped that they would have reached completion in these matters (10). 

His Concern Is For Them To Be Spiritually Healthy (11)

He ends the letter by expounding on what being made complete looks like. It includes to “be comforted,” “be like-minded,” and “live in peace.” This could be achieved by how they treated each other (12-13) and by a strong relationship with God (11,14). Those horizontal qualities take work, but they produce fortification in the most trying times. Those vertical qualities, with divine promises like grace, love, and fellowship, will guard us against absolutely any trial. 

So, we weren’t the primary recipients of this letter, but imagine for a moment that this was Paul’s summary exhortation to us. Is there a better summary to equip us for our spiritual battle than this? Be in the faith! Do right! Be complete! Be spiritually healthy! There will be those who try to plant seeds of doubt in our hearts, denying God’s truth. There will be internal spiritual struggles that bombard us. Hang on to this four-fold charge from Paul and you can overcome any challenge!