God’s Renewing Word of Unity in Christ Jesus
Introduction
2 Corinthians 13:1-13: Paul prepares the way for his planned visit by encouraging the Corinthians to take a close look at themselves to see if they are really being true to their faith in Christ. If they are, Paul will not have to deal harshly with them when he arrives.
Scripture Reading
Final Warnings and Greetings
1 This is now the third time that I am coming to visit you. “Any accusation must be upheld by the evidence of two or more witnesses”—as the scripture says. 2I want to tell those of you who have sinned in the past, and all the others; I said it before during my second visit to you, but I will say it again now that I am away: the next time I come nobody will escape punishment. 3You will have all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. When he deals with you, he is not weak; instead, he shows his power among you. 4For even though it was in weakness that he was put to death on the cross, it is by God’s power that he lives. In union with him we also are weak; but in our relations with you we shall share God’s power in his life.
5Put yourselves to the test and judge yourselves, to find out whether you are living in faith. Surely you know that Christ Jesus is in you?—unless you have completely failed. 6I trust you will know that we are not failures. 7We pray to God that you will do no wrong—not in order to show that we are a success, but so that you may do what is right, even though we may seem to be failures. 8For we cannot do a thing against the truth, but only for it. 9We are glad when we are weak but you are strong. And so we also pray that you will become perfect. 10That is why I write this while I am away from you; it is so that when I arrive I will not have to deal harshly with you in using the authority that the Lord has given me—authority to build you up, not to tear you down.
11And now, my friends, good-bye! Strive for perfection; listen to my appeals; agree with one another; live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
12Greet one another with the kiss of peace.
All of God’s people send you their greetings.
13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Today’s Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:13
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Reflect
Reread verses 5-8. What is Paul’s advice to the Corinthians? In verses 11 and 12, what does he admonish them to do? Reflect on verse 9 and think about your own community of faith. What are its strengths and weaknesses? How can discussing strengths and weaknesses help a community of faith to grow stronger?
Pray
Sovereign God, help me to strive for perfection and to live in peace with everyone I meet. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit bind communities of faith in love and knowledge of you. Amen.
And now, join us in giving thanks to God for the completion of various Scripture translations.
All Powerful and Loving God, we thank and praise you that, even amid the challenges of the pandemic, Scripture translations were completed in 66 languages used by 707 million people. Thank you for the six language groups that now have a full Bible for the first time – five in Africa and the other in the United States. To God be the glory! Amen
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 10:1-24: Jesus commissions seventy-two followers to share the Good News about the Kingdom of God.