Author: Ben Bourland

7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 2 Corinthians 13:7-9 [ESV]

I am coming up on the final verses of 2 Corinthians. This last chapter is a testament to Paul’s character and dedication to building up his gospel converts in Corinth.

Paul is saying here that his prayer is that the Corinthians would not fail to hold the faith and a fall back into immorality; and that his reasoning is not that he would have met the test, he wants them to avoid wrongdoing, not because his own reputation would suffer, but simply because he wants them to be found doing what is right.

In verse 8 the truth is best understood here as the gospel, and what Paul asserts is that he could never act in a way that is contrary to the gospel or its implications. Then in verse 9 he says that he is prepared, even glad, to be weak if that means strength for his converts. During his ministry, Paul had discovered that very often weakness in himself was the concomitant of power at work in others, a fact which rested upon God’s decision to use the weak things of this world to achieve his purposes. The sort of strength Paul looked for in his converts was the strength of commitment to the gospel and the outworking of that commitment in moral renewal in their lives.

I see this as the pastor/shepherding model that Paul is for us. His focus is his fellow followers of Jesus Christ and his exhortation and correcting of them (even discipling) if needed.

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 [ESV]

I love this call by Paul for the Corinthians to examine and test themselves. Why? To see if they are in the faith. Here at the end of his letter he gets right down to it. He has spent a ton of time reminding them about what he those that were with him, taught them over the 2 other times he visited. The truth of the Gospel and conforming of their lives to it.

So, what an awesome instruction to us -> to examine and test ourselves. When the examination is finished the test results in a realization that Jesus Christ is me or that He isn’t. One way to test ourselves is to check for evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our life: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). We might consider making this our prayer as David did: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24).

1 THIS IS the third time that I am coming to you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses must any charge and every accusing statement be sustained and confirmed.
2 I have already warned those who sinned formerly and all the rest also, and I warn them now again while I am absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come back, I will not spare [them],
3 Since you desire and seek [perceptible] proof of the Christ Who speaks in and through me. [For He] is not weak and feeble in dealing with you, but is a mighty power within you; 2 Corinthians 13:1-3 [AMP]

Here in this final chapter of 2nd Corinthians, Paul is making is known that he plans to *not* hold back in discipline of the few he had warned on his second visit. This consistent revisiting of the church in Corinth and dealing with their struggles of the flesh is interesting. The influence of the false teachers must have been strong, and it is those leaders who he is targeting for discipline.

In verse 3 Paul is telling them that when he comes back they will see the power of Christ not necessarily in Christ’s treatment of them but in the mighty power of Christ “within” them. The genuinely converted Christian feels the power of God within them when the Lord takes the new creature and shines a light on the despicableness of the old creature. It is this recognition in the believer that drives him/her to the cross again for forgiveness through brokenness over their sin.

Application:

A faith that is not convicting me is likely not saving me. This is a very humbling and sobering way of looking at God’s work in my life to conform me more into the image of Jesus. This conforming never ends in my life here on earth. I should be suspect of the effectiveness of my ministry if I am not convicted of my sin all the more as I move forward in my walk with God. I must consistently be enabling God’s searchlight on my soul that I am taking every earthly moment to grow IN Him.

19 Have you been supposing [all this time] that we have been defending ourselves and apologizing to you? [It is] in the sight and the [very] presence of God [and as one] in Christ (the Messiah) that we have been speaking, dearly beloved, and all in order to build you up [spiritually].
20 For I am fearful that somehow or other I may come and find you not as I desire to find you, and that you may find me too not as you want to find me—that perhaps there may be factions (quarreling), jealousy, temper (wrath, intrigues, rivalry, divided loyalties), selfishness, whispering, gossip, arrogance (self-assertion), and disorder among you.
21 [I am fearful] that when I come again, my God may humiliate and humble me in your regard, and that I may have to sorrow over many of those who sinned before and have not repented of the impurity, sexual vice, and sensuality which they formerly practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:19-21 [AMP]

During my reading this morning and finishing chapter 12 of 2 Corinthians, I was internalizing this whole chapter being on Paul standing up for himself to the Corinthians and even being frustrated that he must do so. Reminder: What had been happening was that opponents to Paul’s ministry had come up within the Corinthian church and they were finding whatever they could to tear Paul down in the eyes of the rest of the church. They were questioning his motives, his lack of coming to them, and even his desire to not be a burden financially to them. So, this whole chapter Paul is regrettably boasting about his commissioning as an apostle and they should know his credentials speak for his heart and desire to build up the Corinthian church and not tear it down.

Here in these last 2 verses, Paul talks about his fear of coming to Corinth and finding that the church has backslidden into the sin they walked away from when he first came to start the church. In fact, Paul suggests that this degradation of one of his beloved church plants may be a situation God may use to humble Paul.

Application:

There are times where admonishment of fellow believers is needed and a deliberate questioning of motives and behavior is warranted for a church off the rails. In this case it was a church that Paul had been a part of planting but I am wondering what there is to learn here about admonishing churches who are deliberately going about teaching that is outside of God’s word. What you don’t see Paul doing is going out and speaking against the Corinthian church and its leadership in the outside world and community. It is directed right at the church and to those who are factious, jealous, gossipy, arrogant, and going about to create disorder.

7 And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; 9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 [RSV]

This morning I finished Chapter 11 with the final wrap up of Paul’s continued warning of the Corinthian Church that they should beware of these false leaders who are only seeking to lord their control over them.

In chapter 12 Paul begins to talk about visions and revelations that have been given to him by the Lord. He starts with a recollection of a vision that he was taken up into the ‘third heaven’ and that things spoken to him there could not be uttered. He tells of this vision in the third person but it is clear through more complete reading that this experience was indeed Paul himself.

Then Paul moves to my focus of this chapter which is the thorn in Paul’s flesh he has been given by the Lord to keep him from ‘becoming too elated’. This elation and boastfulness could come from the pride in him being the one chosen by God to see these revelations. Paul says that he prayed three times for God to take away this ‘thorn’ but God’s response what that His grace is sufficient and God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Paul then finishes up with how this is ‘enough’ for him. Knowing that in his weakness God will perfect His strength, that is all Paul needs.

Application:

For a long time I thought that this was just a wonderful passage by Paul to help us understand how we should see our weaknesses as a fertile place for God to grow his strength in us…but today I take away more. Today I recollect several times that I have been ‘Filled’ with the Spirit. These are times where the Lord bathed me in his Holy Spirit and my inner being was given a closeness with God that is hard to describe…but these did not last but for a few days or weeks. I believe that this removal I experienced is what Paul is alluding too as a way of God keeping us from becoming elated and remembering that it is in our weakness that God becomes strong. It is when He brings us through trial and tribulation that we see how faithful and powerful and wonderful He is.

12 And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 [RSV]

Chapter 11 is Paul’s assertion that there are false teachers among the Corinthians draws him to lean on his credentials as an apostle of Christ. Paul even talks about how he did not ask for anything (support for his ministry) while he was with them; that he was supported by the Macedonian church. That is what he is saying here; that he will continue to not be a burden on the Corinthians so that these false teachers cannot claim to be operating with a need of support like Paul and his followers.

The real freakiness here is Paul needing to spend so much time in this chapter describing how cunning and believable these false teachers can be. When I think about all of the churches who have compromised the word of God to fit their purposes and today’s social culture alignment, is really scary and sad. There are a nontrivial number of born-again Christians who are attending these churches. This deceit and disguising of supposed ministers in our day are the exact false teachers Paul was warning the Corinthians about. I find myself having a renewed chastening of my heart around God’s TRUTH in His word as a way to gird up the foundation that allows me to see these false servants of righteousness for who they are.

17 However, let him who boasts and glories boast and glory in the Lord.
18 For [it is] not [the man] who praises and commends himself who is approved and accepted, but [it is the person] whom the Lord accredits and commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 [AMP]

As I was reading and finishing chapter 10 tonight, it dawned on me that the world says the exact opposite of what Paul teaches. The world would say that you should take personal credit for who you are and what you do. That who you are is all about what you make of yourself and what you want others to think of you. The world tells you that everyone should revolve around your wants and desires.

Paul’s message is very different -> if you are going to boast and give glory, boast in and give glory to the Lord. Paul even goes further in verse 18 to make his point. Just because you approve of yourself does not mean you are or will be accepted. It is who the Lord accredits and commends that will be approved and accepted in the only ways that matter.

Application:

The moment I find myself taking credit for something, I need to stop and redirect that boasting and credit to the Lord Whose opinion is the only one that matters. My plight in life needs to be to do everything for the glory of God alone.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 [ESV]

These two verses are some of the most powerful verses in the bible for Jesus following Christians. The things that immediately come to mind are the social and culture issues that plaque our world today. There is no way to fight these things with human weapons, this is a battlefield over hearts and minds.

I think we too often believe that getting involved in political action, protesting, or standing on the steps of state houses that will garner change in these areas but I think more and more these wars need to be fought on our knees through prayer over our local, state, and federal leaders. We also should be praying for heart change and courage for our school boards and city councils.

Application:

The weapons for spiritual warfare are the gospel and the sword of the spirit (God’s Word). In other words, God is the power to destroy strongholds. How can I even begin to believe that I can have an impact in the movements to save my church and children from the onslaught of this world if I don’t fully consume, study, and internalize the TRUTH of God’s Word. And then engage that knowledge through prayer and witnessing to make more and better disciples? I know the Lord is working; I must ask how I am making myself available to Lord for the work of the Kingdom and am I making the most of every opportunity He lays in front of me?

This is my first day back to writing since last Wednesday. Thursday, I had to face the layoffs of half of my team (5 people). I didn’t have just any team; we had have been to Alaska together, 4 multi-week trips to the east coast away from our families, and brutal development schedules. I have met wives, husbands, and families….it was one of the hardest days of my life. Some people had even moved here to the west coast from places like Louisiana and Virginia. The impact of this layoff was huge, and I am still working through “Survivor’s Guilt” and figuring out how to come alongside one person who holds me personally responsible for this outcome. Please join me in praying for these families who have had their lives turned upside down.

For my reading today, I am making the turn into chapter 10 of 2nd Corinthians. Chapters 1-9 carry a message of relief and comfort whereas 10-13 the tone is very different. It is marked by satire and sarcasm, spirited personal defense, reproach directed towards the Corinthians and bitter attack levelled at outsiders who have infiltrated and are now influencing the congregation.

NOW I myself, Paul, beseech you, by the gentleness and consideration of Christ [Himself; I] who [am] lowly enough [so they say] when among you face to face, but bold (fearless and outspoken) to you when [I am] absent from you!
I entreat you when I do come [to you] that I may not [be driven to such] boldness as I intend to show toward those few who suspect us of acting according to the flesh [on the low level of worldly motives and as if invested with only human powers]. 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 [AMP]

These first 2 verses setup this latter half with who the message is meant to be directed at. It is to those few who suspect Paul and his companions of acting according to the flesh and their own worldly motives. Of course, knowing Paul, this could not be further from the truth. What I think is important is that we all need to hear what Paul has to say and do our best (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to apply to our own areas of our lives and hearts that either harbor or nurture ungodliness that comes in the form of religiosity, prejudice, or pride.

8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
9 As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!  10 And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].
11 Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 [AMP]

My epiphany today was what the Lord laid on my heart in regard to what Paul is saying in most of this 9th chapter of Corinthians. What hit me was that I find myself creating structures or frameworks that ‘Giving’ must fit in -> Money, shelter, food, clothing, and any other physical commodity that you can think of…but what Paul is saying here is that God gives us an abundance of things to be generous with.

• Our Time
• Kindness
• Labor
• Empathy
• Compassion
• Encouragement
• etc.

In my life as a believer, I have been to quick to create channels of giving that if the ‘thing to give’ did not fit in that channel, then there was nothing to give. What Paul is saying is that there is really no boundary to the type of blessing that you can be generous with in ‘giving’…there is no channel, there is only an open table by which anything you have to give can be slid to the person in need. You might be reading this and thinking, “Ben, this is so elementary!”. You are probably right, but on my road to sanctification, I needed this today.