Episode 2886 - Lesson 12 - Thursday Sep. 17 - Appeal to the Unrepentant

Appeal to the UnrepentantIn 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:10, Paul informs the church about his third visit (2 Cor. 12:14, 2 Cor. 13:1). He had shown that he is not inferior to any of the false apostles and is now confident to come to Corinth once again and try to restore unrepentant members. In fact, this was one of the primary purposes of this visit. All Paul did and spoke was meant for the edification of the church (2 Cor. 12:19).Read 2 Corinthians 12:20-21. What sins were jeopardizing the spiritual condition of the Corinthian church?The list of sins in 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 is similar to others found elsewhere in Paul's letters (Rom. 1:29-31, Gal. 5:19-21). The first two items appear in 1 Corinthians 3:3, where Paul refers to jealousy and strife among the members in Corinth. Paul fears that things would not be too different by the time of his third visit. He says, "I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish." Conversely, he says, "You may find me not as you wish" (2 Cor. 12:20, ESV). This means that rather than dealing with them "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1, ESV), he would now be "ready to punish every disobedience" (2 Cor. 10:6, ESV).His main concern is that those members who had been involved with "impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality" may not have repented (2 Cor. 12:21, ESV). And it is sins like these that cause divisions in the church.Next, Paul focuses on the role of church discipline to restore those in sin (2 Cor. 13:1-4). Weakness is not an excuse for a sinful way of life. There is power available for those who want to live a victorious life (2 Cor. 13:4). The fact that some in Corinth practiced sexual sin is evidence that God's power was not a reality in their lives. Paul wanted them to repent and experience the power that leads to obedience. Disciplining them was the last thing he wanted to do. He says, "We pray to God that you may not do wrong . . ., but that you may do what is right. . . . Your restoration is what we pray for" (2 Cor. 13:7-9, ESV). What a beautiful prayer! He asks them to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith.Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What does it mean to be in the faith? How can you know that you are in the faith?