Day 1,169: 2 Corinthians 13- Aim For Restoration

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— 3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
Final Greetings
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
 
Meditation
The end of Paul’s Corinthian correspondence sets a new beginning for Paul’s relationship with the church. Strengthening Relationships takes work, and the gospel gives Christians a solid foundation to seek restoration for rehabilitation of relationships. 
 
Paul’s second reminder that he is prepared to visit Corinth a third time sets the table for personal reconciliation with the church as it sets a course of reconciliation for other Christians. Gospel centered community is eager to “aim for restoration” through reconciliation.
 
Paul points to the ancient path of settling disputes, the well-worn ways of establishing a charge against someone found in Deuteronomy 19, in hopes of a new start when he comes again. Paul’s strong apostolic authority is the basis of the appeal, solidified through the power of Christ (1-4), which is also the means of security for the Corinthian Christians to examine themselves and their own faith (6-10). Strengthening relationship utilizes God’s ancient paths, necessitates self-awareness, and is centered on God’s finished work in Jesus.
 
Paul ends his letter with six imperatives to strengthen relationships (11-14) before celebrating the unity of the conclusion of the epistle: Living our identity as God’s people, Christians should: rejoice, aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and greet one another in holiness. These actions will deepen corporate unity to more faithfully reflect the Trinity. Paul’s final blessing is also an appeal to unity’s highest ideal:
 
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God (the Father) and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading regarding the relational work Paul prioritizes, both in his relationship with the church and their relationship with one another?
 
-Which of the six imperatives is most difficult for you and your faith community? Why?
 
-How does Paul’s final blessing with the Trinity empower the Church to aim for restoration?
 
Key Verse
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.