We come to the final chapter of 2 Corinthians. Paul has accomplished much in this letter, but he’s still issuing grave warnings to his audience. Though they have come a long way in renouncing their sin, turning in repentance to Christ, reaffirming their loyalty to Paul, and generously giving to those in need, they still have false teachers in their midst; they aren’t out of the woods yet. Paul wants to build them up – at all costs. He issues some final, short commands that are invaluable, and so let’s take a look.
1) V1-4 – 1This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” [Deuteronomy 19:15]. 2I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4For to be sure, He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.
Again Paul mentions coming to Corinth for the third time (v1; 12:14). Most commentators note that he quotes Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15 to remind the Corinthians that he’ll deal with people justly when he returns (v2). But there are some who suggest that his third visit will be the final witness (the first visit was favorable, while the second was not) in determining what, if any, disciplinary action is required for their behavior. His statement of apostolic authority in v3 could not be clearer (v10): Christ is speaking through Paul, and He is powerful. The Corinthians may not think much of Paul, but when they reckon him weak, they also reckon Christ weak, for there is nothing they could despise about Paul that is not also true of Christ. Furthermore, if they end up dealing with the power of Paul, it will be nothing less than the power of Christ, who omni potently stands behind His apostle to the Gentiles. Excommunication would be the punishment, and though we might not see that as such a big deal today, back then it was equivalent to handing a person over to Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5). Yet even in the midst of this warning, Paul ties everything to Christ and His cross and His glory (v4). The resurrection life is real, and it’s Paul’s motive for both boasting and ministering (12:9).
2) V5-10 – 5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 10This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority – the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Paul suggests that assurance of faith comes through testing (v5-6; 1 Corinthians 11:28; Galatians 6:4; 2 Peter 1:10). Storms says, “His point is this: if the Corinthians are truly Christians, they will realize that Jesus is in them. And if Jesus is in them, they should be led to acknowledge that He is also in Paul, for it was through him that they came to saving faith. Surely there must be some merit to the claims of one who led so many to faith in Christ! In other words, ‘He will show them that their verdict about themselves will likewise be their verdict about him. That is, however they fare in their self-examination is how he also fares, because they owe their existence in Christ to him’ (Barnett).” Calvin goes even farther with his interpretation, saying, “What does Paul say here? He declares, that all are reprobates, who doubt whether they profess Christ and are a part of His body. Let us, therefore, reckon that alone to be right faith, which leads us to repose in safety in the favor of God, with no wavering opinion, but with a firm and steadfast assurance. He gives them in a manner their choice, whether they would rather be reprobates, than give due testimony to his ministry; for he leaves them no alternative, but either to show respect to his Apostleship, or to allow that they are reprobates… One of two things was necessary – that they should either assign to Paul the honor due to an Apostle, or condemn themselves for unbelief, and acknowledge that they have no Church.”
Do we trust God (Hebrews 3:6)? Do we obey God (Matthew 7:21)? Are we growing in holiness (Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 3:3)? Do we bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Do we love others (1 John 3:14)? Are we a positive influence on others (Matthew 5:16)? So we adhere to apostolic teaching and sound doctrine (1 John 4:2; 1 Timothy 4:16)? Do we have the testimony of the Holy Spirit within (Romans 8:15-16)? These questions might serve to give us assurance of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul talks about prayer in v7-9, and gives a summary reason for writing in v10. First in v7a, he says, “We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong.” If that’s not an understanding of God’s sovereignty, then I don’t know what is. Why would Paul ask God to keep them from doing wrong if He isn’t able to do so, as if they live some sort of autonomous life apart from God’s sovereign control? Second in v7b, Paul prays this prayer not so the Corinthians will be seen as having passed the test of their faithfulness, but so they will indeed be living holy lives before God, even if Paul’s ministry to lift them up in edification fails (Luke 10:16; Hebrews 13:17). All Paul wants is their sanctification – the obedience of faith that he talked about in Romans 1:5. Third in v8, Paul’s assurance in this prayer request comes from doing God’s will. He knows his efforts are right, because he serves the Lord for truth. Fourth in v9, Paul restates his goal both in this prayer and for his ministry – their perfection. And his conclusion in v10 is all about building up. Sometimes, however, pastors / teachers have to do some demolition work (tearing down) in order to build a more sound structure. But in this case, Paul knows the foundation is there, for he had built it himself!
3) V11-14 – 11Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13All the saints send their greetings. 14May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
In v11, Paul issues a “good-by.” It’s the Greek word that is usually translated as “rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Other translations say, “Godspeed,” or “Farewell.” He gives a series of final short commands, which is typical of Paul’s letters. Here they are for the sake of not ending on a sour note, to ensure that his audience maintains or has restored an agreeable spirit. The commands include: “Aim for perfection (Be made complete! Or be restored!), listen to my appeal (Be comforted!), be of one mind, [and] live in peace.” Calvin says, “To be of one mind, and to live in peace, are expressions which mean two different things; for the one takes its rise from the other. The former relates to agreement of sentiment; the latter denotes benevolence, and union of hearts.”
Paul sends greetings from “all the saints,” meaning those in Macedonia (Philippi, Berea, and Thessalonica). And he tells the Corinthians to “greet one another with a holy kiss” (1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 16:20; Romans 16:16; 1 Peter 5:14a). Calvin says, “He closes the Epistle with a prayer, which contains three clauses, in which the sum of our salvation consists. In the first place, he desires for them the grace of Christ; secondly, the love of God; and, thirdly, the communion of the Spirit. The term grace does not here mean unmerited favor, but is taken by metonymy, to denote the whole benefit of redemption… The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is added, because it is only under His guidance, that we come to possess Christ, and all His benefits. He seems, however, at the same time, to allude to the diversity of gifts, of which he had made mention elsewhere (2 Corinthians 12:11), because God does not give the Spirit to every one in a detached way, but distributes to each according to the measure of grace, that the members of the Church, by mutually participating, one with another, may cherish unity.”
Finally, Paul’s benediction is twofold: first in v11 he says, “God be with you,” namely, “the God of love and peace.” And then in v14 we have the second benediction, gloriously Trinitarian (Isaiah 44:6). And it an appropriate way to end our study on 2 Corinthians: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God [the Father], and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”