Letters to the Corinthians
Leadership | Part 4 - Fostering Maturity not Dependency (2 Corinthians 13)
Godly leadership is defined not by how many followers one accumulates, but by how well a leader fosters devotion to Jesus. A leader must move away from creating dependency and instead focus on equipping others to examine their own faith and grow into spiritual adulthood. By rejoicing when others become strong and mature, we reflect the heart of Jesus, who used authority to build others up into maturity. The ultimate goal is for every believer to stand firm in their faith, fully mature and capable of following the Lord without constant supervision.
Footnotes
- Paul’s Third Visit. Paul’s second visit to Corinth (2:1) had been a humbling experience (12:21), not only because of the offense against him (cf. 2:5–11) but because many in the church were living contrary to the will of God (12:21). Paul had warned them about the consequences of sin then and he did so again in this letter. Following Jesus’ application of Deuteronomy 19:15 to errant brethren (Matt. 18:16), Paul promised discipline for the unrepentant. The proof of his apostolic authority which they wanted would be given but in terms they would be wise to avoid (cf. 1 Cor. 5:5). Though Paul was weak, Christ whom he served was not (cf. 2 Cor. 10:4). David K. Lowery, “2 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 584.
- “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith.” Throughout the letter Paul subjected himself and his ministry to scrutiny. Now he handed the lens to the Corinthians, with the challenge that they consider their own conduct (yourselves is in the emphatic position in Gr.). Paul’s question is usually construed with regard to positional justification: were they Christians or not? But it more likely concerned practical sanctification: did they demonstrate that they were in the faith (cf. 1 Cor. 16:13) and that Christ was in them by their obeying His will? To stand the test was to do what was right. To fail was to be disobedient and therefore subject to God’s discipline. The words fail(ed) the test (2 Cor. 13:5–6) and failed (v. 7) render the Greek word adokimoi (“disapproved”; cf. adokimos in 1 Cor. 9:27). Whatever doubts the Corinthians may have had about Paul’s conduct (e.g., 2 Cor. 1:17, 2:17; 7:2) he believed that a sober evaluation would lead them to vindicate him. He hoped they would not be disapproved by God; and he hoped they would see that he was not disapproved by God. Still it was their reputation or standing, not his, that concerned him. David K. Lowery, “2 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 584–585.
- The Holy Kiss. The holy kiss (cf. 2 Cor. 13:12; Rom. 16:16; 1 Thes. 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14) was primarily a symbolic expression of the love, forgiveness, and unity which should exist among Christians. As such, it became associated with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper as a prelude to its observance (cf. Justin Apology 1. 65. 2). It was a mark of the familial bond which united believers. There is no indication that it was restricted to one’s own sex in the New Testament era (cf. Luke 7:37, 45). The suggestion to separate the sexes for the exchange of the kiss arose in the late second century due to concern about criticism from non-Christians and the danger of erotic abuse (cf. Athenagorus Supplication 32; Clement of Alexandria Pedagogue 3. 81. 2–4). By the third century it seems that the sexes were separated (Apostolic Constitutions 2. 57. 17), and by the fourth century the clergy and laity were also kept apart (Apostolic Constitutions 8. 11. 9). Such, however, was apparently not the case in the New Testament church where love for one another was openly expressed. David K. Lowery, “1 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 548.
Supporting Scriptures
Exhortation for the Week
Take personal responsibility for your spiritual growth and your devotion to Jesus.