2 Corinthians 13:7-14

7: Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
8: For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9: For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
10: For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

11: Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12: Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13: All the saints greet you.

14: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

*** 

Paul ended this letter to the Corinthians by making a final statement that his prayer was that they did no wrong. Yet his motive was not so that he would look good, but that they would do what is right, even if he still, in their minds, appeared to be wrong in some way. His desire was for them to be right with God, no matter what they thought of him.

Paul & Co. were working for the truth, not against it. They rejoiced when the Corinthians were strong, even if they themselves were weak, or appeared weak to them. Their joy was in seeing their converts grow in the Lord, becoming complete in Christ, both as individuals and as the church.

Paul explained that this was why he was so severe in his letter, so that when he came to visit, he wouldn’t have to be so in person. So to use the authority the Lord had given him to build up, not tear down.

In closing, he encouraged them to walk in the good things of the Lord--to rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, like-minded and live in peace. If they did, the God of love and peace would be with them. He didn’t want to leave them in fear or dread of his visit, to feel shame, worry, or become argumentative with each other. 

If everyone would do this—examine their own hearts before the Lord, get in alignment with God and walk in the love with each other, not unjustly accusing, yet not becoming offended when someone addresses an issue either—we would have peace in our hearts and among the brethren.



 

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