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| 1 ¶ This is the third
time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every
word be established.
.2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. |
1 -
Third time See 2co0201,
2co1214.
2 - Witnesses The church in one area was spiritually deficient 2co1220. Letters had been written and Titus had labored with them 2co0213, 2co0706, 2co0713, 2co1218. The matter was to have been seriously dealt with following Jewish law nu3530, de1706, de1915. Christ also set principles in mt1815. 2 - Them ... sinned It is neither an honor to God nor a service to those continuing in sin for the church to ignore it. 2 - To all other[s] To sympathizers. 3 - Proof of Christ speaking in me Paul did not deny his human weakness 2co1121, 2co1129. His strength was "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" 1co0203, 2co1210. |
| .5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye
be reprobates?
6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. |
5 - Examine yourselves The word, "yourselves," is in the emphatic position in the Greek text. Rather than doubting his calling, they needed to consider their own faithfulness. How do we know ourselves? Some would say that good comes from within and that we make our own standards. I often need to pray with David, "Search me" ps13923. |
| .7
¶ Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear
approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. |
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| .11
¶ Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be
of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with
you.
12 Greet one another with an holy kiss. 13 All the saints salute you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. <<The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.>> |
14 - Notice the three members of divinity. |
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The end of Paul's letters to the believers at Corinth