2 Corinthians 13:7-10
Summary for 2Cor 13:7-10: 13:7-10 a Whatever the problems Paul faced at Corinth, there is no doubt about his chief desire. He cherished the highest good for these people, that they would become mature and strong. Paul was always concerned to promote the welfare of his people, even when rebuking them. 13:7 b that you will not do what is wrong: They would do wrong by embracing the false teachers who had appeared on the scene (11:5 c, 13-15 d; see study note on 10:1–13:13).• even if that makes it look like we have failed: Paul’s motivation in ministry is to be faithful, not to appear successful (1 Cor 4:2 e). He patterned his service on Jesus Christ himself (2 Cor 13:4 f), who was outwardly weak and an apparent failure in dying on the cross, but who is now victorious as he lives by the mighty power of God.
13:9 g become mature: This Greek word sometimes carries the idea of repair or completion, of restoring something to its proper condition, as in a return to good health (a related word is used in 13:11 h, “grow to maturity”; Mark 1:19 i, “repairing”; 1 Thes 3:10 j, “fill”; Heb 13:21 k, “equip”; 1 Pet 5:10 l, “restore”).
13:10 m Paul did not want to deal severely with the Corinthians by punishing the offenders (12:21 n). He wanted to exercise his apostolic authority in a positive way, but his ministry required him both to strengthen and to tear . . . down (cp. Jer 1:10 o).
• to strengthen you (or to build you up): This is Paul’s favorite expression for a stable Christian community (see Eph 4:12 p), in which the Lord lives both in and among the believers (2 Cor 13:5 q).
Copyright information for
TNotes