2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13:1-6

joined in his admonitions, he is now the third time ready to appear in person. Therefore,

1. He assures them, that if any continued yet refractory and disorderly, notwithstanding these repeated rebukes, he would not spare, but insist condign punishment on such obstinate offenders. Note, No patience, human or divine, will always bear: there is an approaching end, when wrath to the uttermost will overtake the ungodly.

2. Since they demanded a proof of his apostleship, they should recollect. (1 Cor. xi. 30.) For though he was crucified through unsubtle, yet he struck by the power of God, and hath all power now committed into his hands: for we also are weak in him, and, because of our present sufferings, treated by many of you as despotists, and possessed of our authority from him: but we shall live with him by the power of God towards you, and of surely as he lives, shall we prove ourselves clothed with his power to punish offenders: And this would soon be experienced by them, if they did not instantly amend their ways.

3. He urges them to judge themselves, that they might not be judged of the Lord, or his ministers. Enemies, whether ye be in the faith; bring your hearts to the touchstone of God’s revealed will: prove your own selves, by this divine rule: know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, formed in your hearts by his Spirit, except ye be reprobates, and when brought to the test, like these men, repelled as refuse, and found to be carried. But I must not be well done, then we are not a great bet, but approved and allowed of our divine Master, and acknowledged by him as faithful in all things.

1 Chap. xi. 3 Tim. 1 5 Chap. xi.

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, from your perfection. 10. Therefore I write these things being absent, left being present. I should use shurtiments, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

2 Corinthians 13:7-10

The apostle adds his fervent prayer for them. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil, our incur exultive soon us, or wrath from God: not that we should appear approved, and by the punishment we insist, give a demonstration of our apostolic power; but that ye should do that which is honest, and praiseworthy; though we be as reprobates, and having no need to exert

our power, should be thought of as insignificant persons, who really had it not. For we can do nothing against the truth, nor dare lift up the rod against such as walk according to the gospel; but our power is to be exercised for the truth, to defend it against heretical teachers, and to recover backsliders by needful correction. For we are glad when we are weak, and ye are strong; and when your exemplary practice renders censure unnecessary, and we appear as if we had no authority to insist it. And this also we wish, from your perfection, or restoration; that every offence were removed, the church knit together in perfect harmony and union, and every member of it growing up to the measure of the future of the fulness of Christ. Therefore I write these things being absent, left being present. I should use shurtiments, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction; desirous rather than all evils among you should be wounded, and our reproofs effectual for your reformation, than that we should be constrained to give a proof of our power in executing deserved punishment on the impenitent.

11. Finally, by there, 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.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

The apostle here,

1. Takes his leave of them with affectionate exhortations. Finally, my brethren, farewell: Be perfect; united to each other, walking by the purity of the gospel, and performing every disorder: be of good comfort; be of one mind; let every dispute be silenced, and the spirit of party subside. Live in peace and love, and the God of love and peace shall be with you, and dwell in the midst of you with his especial presence and blessing. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you, wishing you all prosperity in your souls and bodies, in time and in eternity. Note, (1.) Union in affection and sentiment is the true mark of the prosperity of the church. (2.) The God of love and peace commands us to be like himself, and that is to be happy.

2. He concludes with his apolitical benediction. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all; may the grace of a dying Redeemer, which includes all spiritual and eternal blessings, be your portion! may a sense of the Father’s love, the spring and winter of your redemption, be warm upon your hearts! and may the richest communications from the Holy Ghost revive, quicken, strengthen, comfort, furnish you over more and more, till by the mighty operation of this trinaxe God your salvation shall be compleated in glory everlasting, and your happy service for his never-ending praise. Such is my prayer for you: cease not to join my supplications for these inestimable benefits; and let every soul among you with faith and fervency say, Amen!

1 Rom. xii. 2. Phil. ii. 3. Pet. iii. 4. Rom. xv. 5. Rom. xvi. 6. Rom. xvii. 7. Phil. ii. II. AND THE