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Continue to test yourselves if you are in the faith;1 continue to prove yourselves.2 Or, do you not realize that Jesus Christ is among you3 [Corinthians]? Unless you are really disapproved.4
| 1 | Continue to test yourselves if you are in the faith: Or, KJV: examine yourselves; TCN: put yourselves to the proof; PME: you should be looking at yourselves to make sure you are really Christ’s; BAR: you must examine. The Saint should daily examine self in the mirror of God’s Word and meditative prayer to be reassured that faith is firm and strong. Compare James 1:23, 24. Paul has provided all the tools in his two letters to the Corinthians to make this determination: a] doctrine; b] moral standards; c] a life of conviction; d] a loving attitude toward others; and, e] a relationship with God and Christ. If the Christian were finally and absolutely saved, such an examination would be unnecessary. |
| 2 | Continue to prove yourselves: Or, test yourselves. Many in Corinth have been too busy focusing on Paul and testing him rather than themselves. It is often true that the critic does not turn this razor-like perceptive power on self. He has written something similar in the context of the Master’s Supper. [1 Corinthians 11:28] Compare notes on Galatians 6:4. |
| 3 | Christ is among you: But, as the next phrase shows, only if they have no become disapproved. Compare the Celestial Christ’s walk among the seven apocalyptic congregations. [Revelation 2, 3] |
| 4 | Unless you are really disapproved: Or, reprobates, not wrong; PME: not real Christians at all. Not all who profess to be Christians are such. If Christians are irrevocably “saved” this Paul could not say this. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 2 Corinthians 13:5 as the theme of the chapter – Living Proof. Paul concludes his powerful letter with a caution that a powerful apostolic visit is coming. He urges them to continue to examine their faith, whether they are approved or disapproved. [5, 6] Just because a Christian claims to be “born again” does not mean such are not “disapproved.” Each Christian must test and prove their approval before God. [7-10] Apostolic ministers like Paul have Christ’s authority to “deal sharply” with the “disapproved.” He hopes that he might not find the Corinthians “disapproved.”
Paul concludes with an appeal that they should continue to “rejoice, be adjusted, comforted, to have the same opinion, to be at unity.” Only then will divine love and peace be with them. [11-14]
Some see a triune formula in the closing verse: the grace of Christ, the love of The God, and mutual sharing in holy spirit. However, it is clear of these “three” only one is called in Greek TOU THEOU [= The God]. Christ is not also The God, nor is the Holy Pneuma. For details on “trinitarian forumulas” see the work Error of the Trinity on the Friends of the Nazarene web page.
May Heaven bless those who test their faith.
[24 June 2002]
Christ must dwell in them unless they are reprobate. If Christ is in them it will be seen in the power of a Christian life.
