Second Corinthians 13 Part 2 Words Of Comfort And Blessing

Paul's heart of love for Jesus Christ and for the Corinthians on display.

2 Corinthians 13:9-10  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. 

Paul is wrapping up his second letter to the church at Corinth.

The apostle found joy even though he was vilified as poor and despicable by false teachers.

He rejoiced in the extraordinary power that God gave him to use, so that the Corinthians might be strong in all the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit.

"Perfection" is the idea of becoming complete or fully mature in faith in Christ. 

The word "perfection" means to strengthen the soul  through spiritual discipline, training and instruction from the scriptures.

Paul is teaching us that no Christian ever reaches a plateau where there is no more truth to learn and apply. 

We should never become stagnant or stale in our faith. We received a living faith that is fed and nurtured by the living Word from the One True Living God of heaven.

Paul wrote to a church whose body was out of sorts, full of disjointed bones, torn tendons and dysfunction (See 1 Corinthians 12-14).

He wrote truth from God to put the body in Corinth which is part of Christ's church, back into proper order.

Discord must be replaced by harmony. 

False teaching must be replaced with the eternal truth of scripture.

Ruptured relationships must be restored by loving one another as Christ commands.

Division and schisms must be replaced with the unity of the Spirit.

Pride must be replaced with genuine humility and esteeming others better than ourselves.

Anger and wrath must give way to peace and love of God in each Christian.

The necessary work of restoration was undertaken by the apostle Paul even though he encountered fierce resistance from false teachers.

Each member in Christ's church must remember our place in His work.

Ephesians 2:19-22  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20)  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

This is what Paul had to restore at Corinth. He had to remind those believers that they were saved out of the darkness and hopelessness of idolatry.

They were no longer cut off from the right worship of God, the promises of God and the hope of salvation.

Their faith was anchored upon the work and person of Jesus Christ. Their hope is anchored in unchanging  truth communicated by Christ through His apostles.

They must rest in the richness of God's blessings upon them. God is putting this church together as He see fit and He had made each Christian His dwelling place through the Spirit of God.

If Paul could help the Corinthians to understand the  implications of the gospel they would set aside petty pursuits and harsh divisions. 

They would become overwhelmed by all that God had done, is doing and has promised to do throughout eternity. 

Paul rebuked them in this epistle, to put them on notice and to lead them to repentance and reformation before he arrived.

If they would hear and heed the apostle's words then he might not have to use sharpness in using his apostolical authority to inflict punishment. 

As we have noted, this was a power which God gave to His apostles and Paul preferred that they be edified rather than suffering destruction due to unrepentant hearts.

Look to Jesus to find joy, happiness and purpose from God.

2 Corinthians 13:11  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.

Paul's words of farewell were meant to encourage the Corinthians to follow through with his instructions so that they might enjoy Christ the Lord.

Farewell is the idea of having spiritual joy in Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Finding joy in His person, in His acceptance, in His righteousness. 

Finding joy in justification by faith in His blood which washed them from their sins.  

Paul hoped that they would find joy in having a faithful apostle who wanted God's best for them and who was affectionately concerned for their good.

He urged them to be perfect or complete in Christ and to seek knowledge, grace, and holiness, and in the performance of good works. 

He wanted this church to be restored like a body put back together by a team of doctors (See 2 Corinthians 13:9). 

All differences were to be put aside for the sake of the gospel. 

All breaches in their relationships were to be restored. 

Every member was to assume his proper place so that all things were done decently and in order.

Make loving and obeying the Lord Jesus Christ our highest priority in life.

2 Corinthians 13:12-14  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.

Paul commends the church to embrace the grace and blessings that come from and through the Redeemer of the world. 

The Corinthians must learn to submit fully to the Jesus Christ the Lord, the ruler and governor of all things. 

They must remember that Jesus is the distributor of all Divine unction which enlightens, comforts, harmonizes, and purifies the mind. 

Paul desired that this most exalted, glorious, and all-sufficient Savior, be ever with them in Spirit and in truth!

Paul's final words to the Corinthians are words of love, blessing and encouragement. His words are very reminiscent of the blessing the high priest was to pronounce upon the Israelites.

Numbers 6:22-27  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23)  Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24)  The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25)  The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26)  The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27)  And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. 

Salvation by faith in Christ is the mighty work of God. 

By faith we enjoy the blessed songs God has for us. 

By faith we can endure trials and tribulation that come our way. 

By faith we can be edified when we worship with other Christians. 

By faith we can live a life full of joy, hope and love for God and others.

It is the LORD who blesses and keeps us. 

It is the LORD who causes His face to shine upon us as the entrance of His Word gives light.

It is the LORD who is gracious toward us, full of mercy and ready to pardon the repentant sinner.

It is the LORD who gives us peace beyond understanding through faith in Jesus Christ.

May we think about our wonderful God and find the greatest joy and satisfaction in loving, knowing and serving Him.

Bob