2 Cor 13.1-14 tells us that Paul is resolute in coming to them again; he tells them in advance that when he comes he is going to deal with those who have not corrected their wrongs and he will not spare anyone and gives his reasons; he concludes his letter by exhorting them, and gives best wishes of good things to come their way.
v 1…This is the third time I am coming to you (Paul tried a second time but couldn’t -2.1-4). Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses (to establish any evidence or allegation-Deut 19.15).
v 2…I have previously said (before) as if I were present a second time (he resolved to go a second time but gave them time to correct themselves-he would not go because of disappointment), and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned (before in his last letter) and to all the rest as well (who may have been drawn by the evil practices), that if I come again, I will not spare anyone (because their actions reflected back on the Lord).
v 3…Since you are seeking for proof of Messiah speaking in me (wanted evidence of his authority and commission as a shaliach), and who is not weak, but mighty in you (Messiah manifested his power among them).
v 4…For indeed he was crucified because of weakness (the spiritual sicknesses of men; their hatred towards God, etc), yet he lives because of the power of God (who raised him up). For we are also weak in him (our flesh-the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak), yet we shall live in him because of the power of God toward you.
v 5…Test (examine) yourselves to see if you are in the faith (a Torah-based faith in Yeshua); examine yourselves (as to what you believe and if your heart is in harmony with the Torah-Jer 31.33; Matt 7.21-23; John 5.39-47, 14.15; 1 John 2.3-4)! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Yeshua the Messiah is in you unless you fail the test (this is not saying Yeshua literally “lives” inside a body; we say this all the time when a person dies, but he “lives on” in the people he served; all Paul is saying here is they are to check themselves to see if their lives are a reflection of the life of Yeshua-Acts 4.13 ).
v 6…But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test (Paul was a Torah-observant believer in Yeshua-Acts 21.17-26; believers in the birth-pains will be also-Rev 12.17).
v 7…Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear to be approved (his motive was not that his ministry “looked good”), but that you may do what is right (honest good, proper, correct according to God’s word), even though we should appear unapproved (Paul would look bad rather than for them to be involved in evil and require correction-v 10).
v 8…For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth (as found in the Torah-they had no power over the truth found there).
v 9…For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak (and do not have to exercise our power in correcting others; would rather appear weak that to use his authority), but you are strong (in your Torah-based walk), this we also pray for, that you be made complete (Paul desired their entire reformation-the word comes from the setting of bones that are dislocated; Corinth was “out of joint” and he wanted them healed).
v 10…For this reason I am writing these things while absent, in order that when present I may not use severity (in reproofs), in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me, for building up (edification) and not for tearing down (like Peter did with Ananias and Sapphira; delivering some for punishment, like Hymenaeus and Philetus).
v 11…Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded (in the faith), live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
v 12…Greet one another with a holy kiss (not carnal or with deceit like in 2 Sam 20.9 and Matt 26.49; in other words, let your greetings be sincere and in true fellowship).
v 13…And all the saints (tzadikim, righteous) greet you (in Macedonia).
v 14…The grace of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah (coming out of him) and the love of God (emanating out of him) and the fellowship of the Ruach Ha Kodesh be with you all (here the Godhead is related to salvation in a triple benediction; the love of the Father sent Yeshua, whose death provided grace, uniting us by the Ruach Ha Kodesh in fellowship).
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