Thursday
2 Corinthians 13:9
At first read, this passage of scripture left me with many questions. Who is “we”? Do they really want to be weak? And just what exactly do they mean by “weak” anyway? Physically weak? Spiritually even?
After a little intrepid research (yes, on Wikipedia), rereading, and contemplation of 2 Corinthians 13, I think I may have found some answers and perhaps even a little insight. I believe the “we” of course included the Apostle Paul, but also “Timothy our brother” who wrote the epistle with Paul, and could have even included other Christians with them from where they were writing, likely in Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 10:1 – 13:10 are considered Paul’s polemical defense of his apostleship, as some in Corinth doubted him (13:3). Indeed, many biblical scholars speculate that these final three chapters of 2 Corinthians were initially part of Paul’s “letter of tears” which he wrote after his “painful [second] visit” (2:1) to the Corinthian church. These chapters contain Paul’s warnings to the Corinthians, as he has seen them falter in their faith and sin.
For his love of them, Paul desperately desires not to comminate his Christian sisters and brothers in Corinth upon his promised third visit (13:1-2), and thus beseeches them to “examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?” (13:5a,b). Paul doesn’t want to have to be strong or “severe” (13:10) with the Corinthians; he rejoices when they are strong and prays with Timothy that they may become perfect in their faith.
I must believe that Jesus seeks nothing less of us today as He prepares for His final visit to our church.
Dan Williams
2 Corinthians 13:9
At first read, this passage of scripture left me with many questions. Who is “we”? Do they really want to be weak? And just what exactly do they mean by “weak” anyway? Physically weak? Spiritually even?
After a little intrepid research (yes, on Wikipedia), rereading, and contemplation of 2 Corinthians 13, I think I may have found some answers and perhaps even a little insight. I believe the “we” of course included the Apostle Paul, but also “Timothy our brother” who wrote the epistle with Paul, and could have even included other Christians with them from where they were writing, likely in Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 10:1 – 13:10 are considered Paul’s polemical defense of his apostleship, as some in Corinth doubted him (13:3). Indeed, many biblical scholars speculate that these final three chapters of 2 Corinthians were initially part of Paul’s “letter of tears” which he wrote after his “painful [second] visit” (2:1) to the Corinthian church. These chapters contain Paul’s warnings to the Corinthians, as he has seen them falter in their faith and sin.
For his love of them, Paul desperately desires not to comminate his Christian sisters and brothers in Corinth upon his promised third visit (13:1-2), and thus beseeches them to “examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?” (13:5a,b). Paul doesn’t want to have to be strong or “severe” (13:10) with the Corinthians; he rejoices when they are strong and prays with Timothy that they may become perfect in their faith.
I must believe that Jesus seeks nothing less of us today as He prepares for His final visit to our church.
Dan Williams
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