2 Corinthians 13 Commentary
Paul lived in a society of idol temples. In these temples, sexual activities were part of the rituals. The false worship would include institutionalized wickedness. The gods were immoral; they still are.
The church should be different. It operates with a different set of values. Paul seeks to establish a holiness and a fear for God’s character that is clearly different from the pagan systems. The church isn’t another idol temple. Physical purging, therefore, becomes an ordained mechanism to define standards in the household of faith.
Paul talks about both authority and power. We would guess the “power” in question is the spiritual power that flows from the Holy Spirit. Demons and those under the power of demons won’t have it easy. The church won’t be a circus. The church won’t fall under the weight of sin. Sin, together with the sinners will be ejected. The operation would be close to casting out demons. Let’s see who wins.
It should be logical; wickedness shouldn’t have any voice in the church. It appears wickedness began to take center stage in Corinth. Action was required urgently. Church discipline works to restore godliness among the saints. It honors God by establishing and elevating His will over and above human frailties.
Then Paul refers to an important aspect of the Church. Jesus died in weakness but don’t be mistaken. He, Jesus, is actually the Creator God, the sovereign God whose name shakes the foundations of the earth. Evil cannot stand in His presence! This incredible power is Paul’s foundation of authority.
We can think about it and see that Paul is right to employ this power in the face of evil in the church. Demons must be reminded of their place on the floor where they lick dust. They mustn’t be allowed a comfortable position in the church together with the saints! We have a spiritual operation here!
But it shouldn’t come to this point. Paul hopes the church stays on the rails. He is happy to be wrong so that the name of Jesus is honored. How he hopes the bad news is actually false news!
We feel Paul’s heart in the closing verses of the book. He prays for their full restoration. They must encourage each other, be of one mind, and live in peace. What is at the base of your heart as you rebuke a sister? Their punishment or their restoration? What governs your interactions with other believers?
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