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When we meet together, we take some time to share any prayer requests that anyone may have. If you would like to share a request, please add it as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Dear Father, God of love and peace,
Help me to examine myself, to test myself, to see whether I am holding to my faith. Help me to realize that Jesus Christ is in me - unless I should fail the test. Help me not to do anything wrong, to do nothing against the truth. Help me stand for Christ and for what is right and true. Let my life - my attitude and my deeds - show constant improvement. Help me mend my ways, agree with my fellow believers, and live in peace. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ rest upon me. May you, the God of love and peace, be near me. May the fellowship of your Holy Spirit surround me. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
This week's lesson is on 2 Corinthians 13:5-11.
Lesson Context
The book of 2 Corinthians is a letter written from Paul to the church at Corinth, a city about 50 miles west of Athens, Greece. This letter was written in preparation for Paul to make a return visit. Part of the reason for the letter were some remaining problems in Corinth. Some people there doubted that Christ was speaking through Paul. They wanted proof. Was he a true apostle of the Lord Jesus, or was Paul a con artist? They thought that Paul's weak presence and suffering-filled ministry meant that that he was a con artist. Paul's apostolic ministry had ben tested and verified through suffering rather than by avoiding it. The power of God seen in Paul's suffering was also seen in the life of Jesus. It wasn't Paul's credibility that was on the line. Instead, it was the credibility of the naysayers in the church at Corinth that was at issue.
Examination (verses 5-6)
Paul challenges his readers to undergo a season of spiritual self-discernent. It required them to look at their credibility as Christian believers. Usually when we see the word faith, it refers to one's personal belief in Christ, plus trust. In this case, the translation uses the phrase the faith. This refers to the body of doctrine to be believed and practiced. Paul's challenge is not to examine oneself to determine how much faith his readers have in Jesus, but rather to determine whether the readers accept his doctrinal teaching regarding the nature of the Christian faith. Paul's question about failing the test seems intentionally focused on those who were dismissive of Paul and unconvinced of his authority. He seems to assert that the people who doubt ought to test themselves rather than test Paul. He wanted his readers to realize the seriousness of the issue. To fail the self-evaluation would be to reveal a life without Jesus. Paul was confident that his proposed self-examination on the part of the Corinthians would cause them to realize who had the presence of Christ and who did not.
Expectation (verses 7-10)
A significant theme of this letter is a defense of Paul's ministry and apostolic authority. The two main pieces of evidence that validate that ministry and authority were God's power that shone through Paul's weakness and the moral transformation of the members of the church at Corinth. In order for the believers in Corinth to maintain their growth, they needed to not do anything wrong. This was not so for the sake of Paul's reputation, but for the reputation of the Corinthian readers. Paul was certain that the gospel truth would prevail. Paul had neither south wealth nor tried to deceive. He was not a manipulator, but one who lived authentically and without guile. Paul conformed his ministry to the gospel, which included his willingness to suffer and place himself in a position of weakness for the sake of others. He willingly worked with his hands to be self-supporting so that the Corinthians would not be distracted by requests for financial support. Paul's desire for the Corinthians to be fully restored is for there to be church unity resulting from the repentance of rebellious believers. The believers would be fully equipped to live out the gospel in their lives faithfully. Essentially, Paul prayed that the Corinthians would grow up in their faith. Paul wants the Corinthians to listen to this letter's sharp words so that he does not have to exercise his apostolic authority when he visits. The responsibility of those who occupy leadership positions in the church includes giving an account to God for the souls of those they served. Sometimes this responsibility requires reproving and rebuking those who oppose the truth.
Exhortation (verse 11)
Paul ends this passage by reaffirming his relationship with the Corinthian audience. Then, he give five brief and pointed challenges. First, rejoice! Second, strive for full restoration. It echoes Jesus' command to, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect," (Matthew 5:48). Third, encourage one another. This seems to be a condensed version of 2 Corinthians 1:4-6. Fourth, be of one mind. This stresses the importance of church unity. It can speak to doctrinal unity, but also essential is a shared humility. Fifth, live in peace.
Conclusion
It is important to take inventory and examine ourselves. Avoiding evil is not enough in and of itself. Evil must be replaced with doing what is right. An unexamined life is not worth living. Paul calls us to submit to a process of discernment by which we try out hearts.
This necessary self-examination requires a familial bond, a desire for maturity, a striving toward perfection, mutual encouragement, a shared commitment to live out the meaning of the gospel, and peaceful practices. An examined faith can flourish in that kind of church. Without such a community, faith will suffer and perhaps die spiritually. The process begins by asking whether we know ourselves.
Prayer
O God, we ask you for the courage to examine ourselves with unvarnished honesty so that we may discern Christ in us. In the name of your Son, who gives resurrection life, we pray. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New International Version.
Next week's lesson will be on 1 Peter 3:8-17.
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