Useful Bible Studies > 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 13
Paul had wanted to return to Corinth earlier*. He did not go then because of the troubles in the church*. However, now he had made a definite plan. Very soon, he would go there, even if problems remained in the church. He would go with the authority that God had given him to deal with those matters.
Paul knew how much the church members had argued in the past*. So Paul warned them that he would not listen to gossip, or to stories about other people. In any such matter, Paul needed to hear witnesses who were able to give their evidence in front of God. The truth would become clear when the evidence of two or three witnesses was in agreement.
Paul repeated the words in Deuteronomy 19:15. That was God’s law about the evidence that Israel’s judges should accept. They should not declare a person guilty if only one witness spoke against him. The evidence of two or three witnesses was necessary.
Paul had complained that nobody in the church was acting as the judge of such matters*. If it was really necessary, he himself would do it. However, Paul still hoped that it would not be necessary. He urged each person to examine his own attitudes and actions in front of God. There was still time, before Paul’s return, for members who had done wrong things to turn back to God. Paul knew that the Christians in Corinth were sincere and eager people*. He urged them to be eager to deal with the problems that remained in their church*.
Next part: Paul was ready to deal with the wrong behaviour of Christians (13:2)
* See complete article for these Bible references.
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© 2016, Keith Simons.