Paul closes his letter with 4 admonitions to the Church.
Be Ready for My Visit, vv. 1-4
A. Paul reminds the Corinthians that if they do not deal with sin in the church, he will.
B. Paul dealing with their sin will prove that he is no weakling!
C. The Example of Christ
1. In His death, Christ seemed to reveal weakness.
2. In His resurrection, Christ revealed the power of God.
D. Application: When Christians ignore or oppose God’s Word, they bring trouble upon themselves, others, and the church.
Be Sure You Are Saved, vv. 5-7
A. The Corinthians spent a lot of time examining Paul; now it was time they examined themselves.
1. “Are you even in the faith?”
2. “Are you truly saved?”
B. “Reprobate” means “counterfeit.”
1. Paul’s enemies charged Paul with being a counterfeit (a false apostle).
2. Paul begged them to turn away from evil living and speaking for their own good.
3. Paul was willing to set aside his privilege as an apostle for their sakes.
Be Obedient to God’s Word, vv. 8-10
Paul says he would be glad for his next visit to be a demonstration of his “weakness” if it meant they would be living in the power of God.
Be Mature in Your Faith, vv. 11-14
A. “Farewell” means “rejoice, be full of joy.”
1. Paul calls all the Corinthian believers brethren, making no distinction between those who attack him and those who support him.
B. “Be perfect” means “aim for restoration.”
C. “Be of good comfort” means “strengthen each other.”
D. “Be of one mind” means “be single-minded in service to Christ.”
E. “Live in peace” means “live peacefully, without rancor.”
F. The benediction of the Trininty.
1. The “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” takes us back to Bethlehem, where He became poor for us, 2 Corinthians 8:9.
2. “The love of God” takes us to Calvary, where God the Father gave His Son.
3. “The communion of the Holy Ghost” takes us to Pentecost, where the Spirit baptized all believers into the body of Christ.