Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians 13:5-10, Final Warnings

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.

The Corinthians sought proof of Paul’s genuineness as an apostle, now he turns the tables on them to test themselves that they are genuinely Christian! If they are indeed Christians, then they will know he is a true apostle. He would rather they repent and there be no need of him to display he apostolic authority and power again. The truth of the gospel is that it builds up people and does not tear them down, so he hopes they know this truth that he won’t have to treat them sternly.

Give to your Church, O God, a bold vision and a daring charity, a refreshed wisdom and a courteous understanding, that the eternal message of your Son may be acclaimed as the good news of the age; through him who makes all things new, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Daily Office