Stand Strong in the Word
Stand Strong in the Word is a weekly bible study that teaches through the Bible verse by verse in chronological order. For more information, visit www.standstrongministries.org.
Stand Strong in the Word
#300 “When Sin Persists: Paul’s Stern Warning Against Ongoing Sin” (2 Corinthians 13:1-4)
Have you ever wondered what happens when sin lingers too long in the church? Sometimes, gentle correction isn’t enough; firm discipline is needed for the health of the body. Paul faced this situation with the Corinthians and had some very stern warnings for them.
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Have you ever wondered what happens when sin lingers too long in the church? Sometimes, gentle correction isn't enough and firm discipline is needed for the health of the body. Paul faced this situation with the Corinthians and had some very stern warnings for them. I encourage you guys to turn to 2 Corinthians, chapter 13, and let's stand strong in the word together. Well, hey there, my friends, welcome to Stand Strong in the Word podcast. Jason Hemet is with you as always.
Speaker 1:Blessed to be with you guys, as we are now entering into the last chapter in our book study in 2 Corinthians. So we'll be in chapter 13. And it'll be a two-part thing. So we'll finish off in the next episode. And I just want to say this is our 300th episode. Hard to believe and I can't thank you guys enough, all of the people that we've gained through the years with this podcast Starting, whether in the Gospels with us, or the Book of Acts or Galatians, whatever the case may be. We welcome you guys and so blessed that this is our 300th episode and it is such an honor and a blessing as we dive into this much needed conversation.
Speaker 1:And the title is when Sin Persists, and this is Paul's stern warning against ongoing sin. So you and I know that if there is sin that persists in our own lives and if it's affecting, if you're married, in your relationship with your spouse, with your children, with your friends, with extended family, with the church, you know how devastating that can be. And so, if you've been with us for quite some time and always encourage you, if you've missed out in first Corinthians or you just jumped in and you missed out in much of second Corinthians, encourage you to go back, listen to those things, share them with your friends and, as always, you know it's a huge blessing Leave us a review, tell people about this. That would be a tremendous blessing to me as we continue to spread this message. To stand strong in God's word, christians need to study the Bible and that is what we focus in on. So, before I dive into verses one through four and start highlighting some of these final words that Paul has of exhortation to the Corinthians, it's important as we're going to be wrapping up this chapter and, most importantly, I should say, the entire book. As we wrap that up, let's take a step back and just highlight this book. So, as you know, paul wrote it and he wrote it around roughly 55 in the late to mid fifties, some have it 57 AD, and it's a very personal letter.
Speaker 1:One of the things that I had stressed time and time again through this Bible study is how pastoral, how direct Paul is in defending his apostolic authority, understanding the relational tension. And this is why we need to have this conversation even today, as we highlight these first opening verses, because Paul's not done yet. He needs to still confront the fact that some of them are still in sin. And if he needs to, when he comes, when he arrives, he will deal with that. So I just want you guys to understand that if that's happening in your life, if, as you're reflecting, as we're studying God's word, and you realize that reconciliation needs to take place, or you've been generous and people have taken you for granted and you are trusting the transformative power of the message of the Lord, and yet you're seeing how people reject it, they're not receiving it, be encouraged as you look at the highlights of this particular book because, remember, in chapter one, paul talked about comfort in the midst of suffering. And so, if you're suffering, the God of mercies the translation is the father of mercies and the God of all comfort is there to uplift us.
Speaker 1:Remember, in Thepsis we talked about it is a wide ranging term that is dealing with mental problems, physical ailments, all types of affliction, and Paul had shared his hardship, what he went through, and sometimes it's important that we do that in these, not case studies with people, but just living life with people, to be more open and honest as Paul was, and that was very important to be more open and honest as Paul was, and that was very important. Now, chapter three he talked about forgiveness and what it looks like for restoration, and remember that the people, to some extent he doesn't give great detail, but when he was urging the Corinthians to forgive the people that, in response to the first letter, had repented and one of the things I use oftentimes, it's very clear, is in order to the first letter had repented, and one of the things I use oftentimes, it's very clear, is in order to prevent, to resist Satan from exploiting or causing more division forgiveness was what was needed and through that, in verses 14 through 17, that they spread the aroma of Christ, and so there was a lot of in terms of the theme. There was a lot of topics that we were looking at in chapter two about the triumph of the gospel and walking in forgiveness. Chapter three this new covenant of Christ's glory. He says that you guys are my letter of recommendation, and so how he spoke so proudly as a father of his children, and how to be bold. And so this is the beginning signs, when you start seeing Paul starts validating his apostleship, like defending it. Chapter four you know the main thing. There is the treasure and jars of clay, and you see this humility that Paul is reflecting, starting with with this illustration, if you will, of a treasure, a vessel or jars of clay, and how God is molding and shaping our lives. Chapter five he continues this message of reconciliation and this is important to highlight this because we're going to see this in chapter 13, in closing that we are ambassadors of Christ, that we are compelled because of the love of Christ to share his truth to all the world. And so the motivation was for Corinthians, these Christians, as they walked in forgiveness because they repented of their sin, that they're ambassadors of that message and so they're bringing that redemption to the people around them.
Speaker 1:And then, chapter six is Paul really appealing to the Corinthians as a servant of God? He says in verses one through 10. And again he's opening his heart and he starts talking about not being unequally yoked. Now, obviously, in verses 11 through 18, there's a lot of controversy there, a lot of abuse of the text, a lot of pretext taking out of context. So if you did listen to it or you didn't, but you want to know more, you want to relearn it, I encourage you to go back to that episode in chapter six about what it really means to be unequally yoked.
Speaker 1:Chapter seven is repentance and Paul mentions how he sent Titus to bring encouragement into their life. And we know, through godly sorrow, you know really that act that shows repentance, shows that you're truly change. And this is where sometimes it can get very confusing for some people because they're saying, they say they're christian, they say they're a Christian, they said they're sorry, but I don't really see godly sorrow. So, remember, somebody could be sorry that it just didn't work out or that you're mad at them and they feel uncomfortable. But 2 Corinthians 7, we see there's joy in godly sorrow because of what it produces and that is spiritual growth and we celebrate in that and there's healing. Chapter eight deals with generosity, that God desires a cheerful giver, and that was one of the main emphasis that Paul is bringing up because, remember, he was looking at the Macedonians who were very sacrificial in their giving, and so he's pointing that out and saying Corinthians be a model, as the Macedonians were a model. Chapter nine is what we receive by being cheerful givers and as a whole concept of sowing and reaping.
Speaker 1:And then when you start getting into chapter 10, you really see Paul now starting to really be specific about what was being said about him, with his critics and these super apostles and the people who are boasting in their accomplishments. But Paul was not going to do that. Instead, he was going to lay out a case for his love for them, what he endured for them, how he was serving the Lord, how he didn't want to take advantage of them and countering these false accusations so that he can reassert his true role in their lives. And we oftentimes have to do that when God has called us to step in there to love certain people especially, they're being taken advantage of. And so chapter 11 was about Paul confronting this false gospel, and he addresses some of the hardships that he endured in the persecution that he went through, the apostolic suffering, that is, versus the people who are taking it easy. This coincides, actually, to John 10 about the hirelings versus what a true shepherd is. And so Paul was warning the Corinthians not to fall prey to these false teachers but to look at the genuineness of his heart in ministry integrity.
Speaker 1:And then in chapter 12, we see him mentioning being caught up in the third heaven, and we looked at the phrase thorn in the flesh to understand as much as we can what really is that. And that's now where we arrive here in chapter 13, where Paul now says in verse one this is the third time I'm coming to you where Paul now says in verse 1, this is the third time I'm coming to you Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warn 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. Since you seek proof that chapter 12, verse 14, and now you see in this opening part, in verse one of chapter 13, paul brings up his impending third visit. Now, as I mentioned in last podcast, we don't really know when Paul if he did when he had that second visit. Now some commentators will take this phrase the third time that I'm coming to you, literally. And so they'll say obviously he at some point did visit them. We just don't know when in the writings of Luke or Paul or anyone for that matter. And that could be the case. I'm not saying it is or not, but I mean it does kind of seem clear here.
Speaker 1:But let me just do this. Let's go back to chapter 12, verses 20 and 21, where Paul expressed his fears with tears, basically not the band, but he says for I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish and that you may find me not as I wish and that you may find me not as you wish, that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit and disorder. I fear that when I come again, my God may humble me before you and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual morality and sensuality that they have practiced. So it's going to depend whether this is his third time or his second time. The main thing that we have to look at is that Paul is going to be with them shortly at some point and he's addressing this and when he comes, it's going to be up to the Corinthians of how they're going to respond, or had responded to Paul's letter, his apostolic letter, regarding whether do I need to come and bring severe discipline or the severity is not necessary, because many of you guys have repented and the repentance has led to restoration, and they're dealing with people who are trying to perpetuate that sin again. Now remember the severity of some of this sin if you go back to 1 Corinthians 5, verse 5, where Paul wrote to hand over this man who was caught in sexual immorality with a family member, and Paul says to hand this person over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. Additionally, some had become ill and even died because they were mishandling communion.
Speaker 1:You see this in chapter 11, verse 30 in 1 Corinthians, and then on several occasionsul was very burdened, right with what was going on with the corinthians and he was very timid at times, but that didn't mean that he didn't care enough or was bold enough to take the necessary apostolic action to resolve the division and the deception that faced the Corinthians among these false apostles who were trying to, you know, lead them astray. We say this in chapter 10, verse 6, and chapter 12, verse 21. So as we're now looking at 2 Corinthians, chapter 13, I want to jump and just read real quickly verse 10, where he says 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. So again, we don't know if he did attend at some point Corinth a second time, literally like physically arriving there, like he did the first time, and then through the first Corinthians letter. And then they're responding and at some point before the second Corinthians letter that he attended. We don't know, but the main thing is his approach in coming to them.
Speaker 1:So when he says every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses, now this is important because there were a lot of accusations and they were addressing a lot of the issues that the Corinthians were dealing with and certainly, like Titus and others that went on his behalf, they would bring back a good or bad report. Now, when he's writing second Corinthians, he had received a good report from Titus and so when he throws this part in in verse one, about two or three witnesses. He's bringing up a legal requirement like presenting evidence, and this goes back to Deuteronomy, chapter 19, verse 15. And there have to be a certain amount of witnesses right In order to bring not just an accusation but conviction. And we know that there was multiple witnesses to the sin of the Corinthians. Therefore, justice is the next step to bring the churches back into the graces of God. So what Paul was just doing was he was just saying, hey, look, the legal requirement. We know these sins are true because of the amount of people who have witnessed them. And so, as he's preparing them upon his arrival and they have evidence to support, so these are no longer just accusations, he said. She said there's been confirmation, paul's, by using the legal standard, he is going to come and bring whatever approach is needed.
Speaker 1:Any parent listening, you know sometimes when you're having to have a firm hand with your children because you love them and you are grounded in your authority that God has given and you're exercising it to bring corrective action that is righteous before the Lord, to draw those people to repentance, to keep them in line. That's the tone that Paul is presenting here Now. Consequently, the Corinthians who are complaining to Paul and we're saying, hey, you're not taking immediate action. So there's definitely people in the crowd, if you will, among the Corinthians, who are saying, yeah, this is wrong, we don't want to have anything to do with it. But their tone, the way they were dealing with these issues, the sin issues, they started to create issues and then they started to point fingers at Paul saying well, the reason why things are still taking place the way that they are in sin is because you're not taking immediate action. You didn't arrive when you said you're going to arrive, and this is unfair. And so they had certain demands. And you can see that throughout the course of the letter that Paul addresses. And the reality is, even those people who are saying, hey, paul, deal with this, they might not even like how he will deal with it when he does finally arrive.
Speaker 1:So in verse two, and he says I warn those who sin 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. So, although Paul didn't know the form or strategy he would use to discipline the Corinthians, paul didn't know the form or strategy he would use to discipline the Corinthians. He nonetheless warned that he would deal severely with anyone who continued to rebel and also promote sin in the household of God. That is uncalled for. So this is a very stern warning. If you remain unrepentant and you are affecting the church. His reiteration here is it's not going to be good for you. And I love that because that's what a true shepherd, that's what a true parent does. He's not sparing the rod, if you will. Spiritually, he's going to exercise his apostolic discipline where needed. And you don't tolerate sin, you guys. We don't tolerate rebellion. That is foundational.
Speaker 1:Verse 3 says since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me, he is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. So this is what's neat about Paul, because he addresses the Corinthians, not just concerns but their doubts, and he also is willing to confront this, questioning him as an apostle and as he faithfully lived for Christ. He ministered to them even in their sin, even at their worst, and he was willing to have those challenging conversations and share the love of Christ and let them know about forgiveness and let them know about restoration. And many people did respond to that. So they are fruit, they are evidence of the apostolic authority of Paul.
Speaker 1:You got to remember nothing like this ever happened. You can't come in there and reach a pagan culture with massive idols, with Serapis, juniper, all these big idols in the heart of Rome, around the Greeks and the pantheon of their deities. And then, all of a sudden, they're renouncing all of that, turning away from their temple sacrifices and sexual sin and recognizing the power of Christ, recognizing true holiness, recognizing that there is a pattern to follow, that there is one true God. And yes, paul, you came and you reached our hearts and our minds with the gospel. And so, even though Paul appeared weak, even though he was not this exceptional teacher with all the bells and whistles, even though he wasn't this front man that everybody idolized, he was simply put a sinner saved by grace, who god was using to advance the gospel. And so when he says in verse 4 for he was crucified, a 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. So when paul arrives, he says I will demonstrate the power of god. You will see it.
Speaker 1:If you look at christ, remember how it was a mocker. He says in the very beginning in first corinthians, chapter one of the cross of christ, that people find that weak. Your God lived a very poor life and was arrested, publicly humiliated and crucified. You call that a powerful deity? No, thank you, my God. Look at this massive construct that we erected, this temple that we put together. My God reigns in the heavens, and so Paul's reminding them hey, christ live a very simple life, and so I'm living a simple life. Christ didn't make it about him. He didn't boast in the flesh. He lived a sinless life, and so I won't boast in the flesh. I will glory in the presence of God.
Speaker 1:One of the commentators said an alternative translation is because of weakness. The weakness is not physical frailty or moral impotence, but rather the weakness of non-retaliation or non-aggressiveness before people and the weakness of obeying God. People who are weak in human estimation because they seek to do God's will are supremely strong. But that weakness of Christ is past Now he lives a resurrection life, sustained by God's power, the spirit of holiness, as a result of his union with Christ, that is in him through faith. Paul shared the weakness of Christ's passion, but in his dealing with the Corinthians he would be fully alive, because he says this phrase we will live along with Christ, with him, by God's power. In quote.
Speaker 1:So again, this is the heart of Paul, and this is the heart of Paul and this is the heart of Christianity. It's not about us. We don't come in our own strength. So the authority that Christ has given Paul, that's the authority that he's going to come in, but he's going to come with weakness. And now again, there's a paradox, because you have weakness but you also have power. But when you look at Christ's crucifixion, it looked like he was defeated, it looked shameful, it looked pathetic. But what did it unleash? What do we see? That he was buried, but on the third day, and the power of the Holy Spirit, and that same power that raised Christ from the dead lies within us. And so Paul says in Romans 8, 11.
Speaker 1:And so Paul's ministry is mirroring, it's complimenting the pattern that Christ laid out for us. He suffered, he lived a humble life, and you, corinthians, you discredit those things. But you're growing in your faith and with a little church discipline and confronting some of your sin, you'll see and the Corinthians make no mistake, they will learn that humility, gentleness, is a far greater characteristic trait, an honorable one, than just being boastful and showing off. So, my friends, what are some takeaways that we can apply to our lives when we're talking about sin persisting and this stern warning that Paul brings to the church? Well, there are a few things that I want to leave you guys with. Number one is to, first and foremost, reflect on the humility that you have in Christ, that there's true strength in that. Secondly, when it comes to church correction, church discipline, that is necessary.
Speaker 1:If, in fact, somebody is not living a humble life and sin is persisting and people are lying about things, they're taking advantage of people, they're spreading those lies that are causing division and there's gossip, there needs to be stern discipline, particularly if those individuals or that individual has been confronted in, warned before. So we are to walk in humility, we are to express weaknesses in our life to the point that we give honor and glory to God. That keeps us humble in that process. That, when it comes to church discipline and accountability, as Paul says, two or three witnesses, so we don't just take one person's word for it. Now, that doesn't mean that if you have somebody and I always give the example, cause it's a very extreme case and a very pointed one.
Speaker 1:But if a woman has a very credible life and they give accounts of an individual let's just say for the sake of argument, a pastor who spiritually abused them, and they have kept that from people because of the intimidation factor, because of the shame and embarrassment, and maybe even giving over to the enemy to take advantage of that and to tell her you're the problem. No one's going to listen to you, no one's going to believe you. And, of course, oftentimes that person in authority is saying practically the same thing, or maybe in these terms you can't tell anybody because I will ruin my ministry. So they guilt, trip them. I'm not saying, if that's the case, that one witness is not enough.
Speaker 1:What we're dealing with in the context here is the persistence of sin that is affecting a lot of people and that a lot of people are committing sinful acts and they start normalizing it. So that's the key. And the final thing that I want to share with you guys is that we are to take sin seriously and by doing so we confront it, we don't excuse it, we don't ignore it, we give it to the Lord and, through grace, we pray that we can be restored. So I pray that this has helped you, my friends and I appreciate all of your prayers, your listenership, as always. I want to encourage you guys. Check out our website, standstrongministriesorg, and let me just say something because I'm so grateful for many of you guys in the last few years have stepped up and you become a monthly Stan Strong supporter. Your financial aid helps us to produce this podcast.
Speaker 1:All my travels into churches equipping this next generation moms and dads and families, where we're looking to put these into video form so you can click of a button, you can download this material and you can get better equipped with biblical theology of what spiritual warfare is all about, so you can be a soldier for Christ and fight against the darkness of the power and the authority of Christ and all these other amazing opportunities that God has blessed Stanislaw Ministries to have. So if you love what we're doing and you've checked out videos and articles and you even have read several of my books, let me just say from the bottom of my heart thank you. We exist to help equip you guys so you could do the ministry that God has called you to do, but we can't do this without your support. Please join others who have said you know what we want to step in there, whatever amount that God has laid in your heart to give that you're able to afford. Let me just say thank you for your generosity. You can give. It is secure online giving. It's a nonprofit, so this is tax exempt, so that's a huge blessing for you guys as well.
Speaker 1:Standstrongministriesorg. Click on the donate button and let me just say we're praying for you guys. We love you. Until next time, keep standing strong in the word of God.