2 Corinthians 13:1-6
"This will be the third time I am coming to you. 'By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established'. I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare - since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 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. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are DISQUALIFIED. But I trust that you will know that WE ARE NOT disqualified."
The image comes to me of a track meet - specifically the 100 meter dash. The participants have lined up and are ready to go, so they presume. They have been evaluated and found to be competitive. The starter informs them to take their mark. One or more of the participants jumps out early, trying to gain an edge on the others. That (those) runners have accomplished a false start and are disqualified by the track and field rules. They may not compete for the prize. Those who started falsely weren't UNQUALIFIED but were DISQUALIFIED.
I perceive admonishment in Paul's third approach to the church at Corinth. They seek proof of Christ speaking in him who is not weak toward them but mighty in them. Paul informs them that Christ was crucified in weakness yet lives by the power of God. Paul says the same is true in/for him and, by extension for Christians IF they are willing to allow it. He beseeches them to examine themselves as to whether they are in the faith; to remember that Jesus Christ is in them. To have to be reminded that Jesus Christ is in you might mean that you are not weak in Him but strong to yourself! Your carnal approach to this life in Christ dominates. Truly the Corinthian church had been qualified - born again from above by the Holy Spirit! Yet in that Spiritual empowerment they were DECIDING to ignore Paul's admonishments that represented our God's attempt to bring them stronger meat.
The apostle Paul informs that the Corinthian church should know that he (and those with him) are not disqualified. He is concerned that they (CC) will not stand the test.
"This will be the third time I am coming to you. 'By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established'. I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare - since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 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. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are DISQUALIFIED. But I trust that you will know that WE ARE NOT disqualified."
The image comes to me of a track meet - specifically the 100 meter dash. The participants have lined up and are ready to go, so they presume. They have been evaluated and found to be competitive. The starter informs them to take their mark. One or more of the participants jumps out early, trying to gain an edge on the others. That (those) runners have accomplished a false start and are disqualified by the track and field rules. They may not compete for the prize. Those who started falsely weren't UNQUALIFIED but were DISQUALIFIED.
I perceive admonishment in Paul's third approach to the church at Corinth. They seek proof of Christ speaking in him who is not weak toward them but mighty in them. Paul informs them that Christ was crucified in weakness yet lives by the power of God. Paul says the same is true in/for him and, by extension for Christians IF they are willing to allow it. He beseeches them to examine themselves as to whether they are in the faith; to remember that Jesus Christ is in them. To have to be reminded that Jesus Christ is in you might mean that you are not weak in Him but strong to yourself! Your carnal approach to this life in Christ dominates. Truly the Corinthian church had been qualified - born again from above by the Holy Spirit! Yet in that Spiritual empowerment they were DECIDING to ignore Paul's admonishments that represented our God's attempt to bring them stronger meat.
The apostle Paul informs that the Corinthian church should know that he (and those with him) are not disqualified. He is concerned that they (CC) will not stand the test.
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