Gentleness with Authority

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

 

2 Corinthians 13:4

For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives 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.

(NKJV)

 

The Lord rebukes and chastens those He loves, urging them to be zealous in repentance (Revelation 3:19). God the Father is a good father who is not politically correct and willing to rebuke and chasten his children when they do wrong. In this study of Corinthians, we have seen how the Apostle Paul had the heart of God the Father in his dealings with the Corinthians by not holding back when they needed rebuke and chastening. Paul had the authority of God but treated the Corinthians with gentleness and love.

 

The Apostle Paul is planning on coming to the Corinthians for the third time, speaking to both those who have sinned and all the rest, letting them know he does not intend to spare them (2 Corinthians 13:1-2). The Corinthians seek proof that Christ speaks through Paul, the same Christ who is not weak toward the Corinthians but mighty in them (2 Corinthians 13:3). Jesus was crucified in weakness yet lives by the power of God with Paul and those with him also weak in Christ but alive by the power of God (2 Corinthians 13:4). Paul urges the Corinthians to examine themselves, testing to determine if they are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5-6).

 

Paul prays that the Corinthians will do no evil but not so Paul appears approved in their sight but that they do what is honorable (2 Corinthians 13:7). Paul and those with him can do nothing against the truth and are glad that when they are weak, the Corinthians are strong. Paul and those with him also pray the Corinthians will be made complete in the Lord (2 Corinthians 13:8-9). Paul writes in gentleness as one absent from them and would be sharp in the authority of the Lord if speaking in their presence (2 Corinthians 13:10). Paul then gives the Corinthians his final greetings praying for them to have the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:11-14).

 

Paul expresses his desire to come to Corinth for the third time. He is coming with the authority of Jesus Christ speaking through him as one weak toward them but mighty in the power of God (2 Corinthians 13:4). Paul urges the Corinthians to test themselves to see if they are in the faith because Jesus Christ is in them unless they are disqualified through unbelief, trusting that they will know they are not disqualified (2 Corinthians 13:5-6). However, Paul would prefer to come to the Corinthians with gentleness but must come in truth as one weak and gentle who is strong in the authority of Christ (2 Corinthians 13:7-10). Paul then bids the Corinthians farewell, praying that the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit will be with them (2 Corinthians 13:11-14). Paul hopes the troubled church in Corinth will remain strong in their walk with the Lord.

 

I once heard a pastor say that if we find the perfect Church, we should leave it before we mess it up. The Church can learn much from the Church in Corinth for all Churches struggle with temptations and must continually guard their hearts through Christ Jesus, to avoid giving in to temptations (Philippians 4:7). The Corinthians had a history of divisions (1 Corinthians 1:1-10), sins of immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1-8), and pride (1 Corinthians 3:18-23). The modern Church faces these same temptations and must strive to live in obedience to the truth contained in the Word of God (2 Corinthians 10:5).

 

In the letters to the Churches contained in Revelation 2,3, we have the faithful Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13). This Church persevered under trial and false teaching, holding fast to the truths of the Word of God. In contrast, there is the Church in Laodicea that was lukewarm, making the Lord sick to his stomach (Revelation 3:14-22). This Church focused on its wealth and riches, filled with pride, believing they needed nothing. While this Church may have had material wealth, they were spiritually bankrupt with the Lord left outside knocking on the door to come in (Revelation 3:20). The modern Church of today must decide if it will mimic the faithful Church in Philadelphia or the lukewarm Church of Laodicea. For revival to come upon our world, we need more Philadelphian churches and fewer Laodicean churches.

 

If you are reading this post and have never prayed for the forgiveness of your sins or have drifted away from your relationship with Jesus, I invite you to pray with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.