2 Corinthians 13:1-7

Rachel Workman: 13 This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”^[a]). ² I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.
³ I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. ⁴ Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power. I've never seen Christ as being weak. I don't see the cross as a sign of weakness either. We are the only weakness that Christ has. What he did on the cross was a beautiful act of love not weakness.
⁵ Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you^[b]; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. ⁶ As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

⁷ We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority.

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John Burnett:  13 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”^[a] 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, ³ since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. ⁴ For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.  Paul, is not playing when he says I will not spare those who sinned. 

⁵ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?⁶ And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. ⁷ Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.  What is this test Paul speaks of?  We need to humbly reflect on whether we belong to Him.  Was His death on the cross and His blood sufficient to pay for my sins?  Have I repented and continue to repent of my sins?  Have I been born again?  Do I have the Holy Spirit living within me?  These are the questions that when answered correctly, YES, mean you are in the faith and belong to Him.

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Allen Michaels:  13 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” ² I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, Paul had already warned the man who had sinned. This was during his second visit. The man may have been the one who had used sex in the wrong way. Or it may be those who even agreed with these sins. Now, in his absence, he repeats the warning. Whoever they may be, Paul will be hard on them. This time he will not only write painful words. In person, he will speak painful words to them.  ³ since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. A true apostle should be a strong person. A true apostle should also be able to speak with power. He should also do wonders and miracles. That was what Paul’s opponents said. Paul agreed with that. Paul had done all these things, but he worked through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul has already explained this. The power of Christ is upon weak people. It is not on strong people. Christians should preach the gospel. That is what matters. It is not strong and clever words that matter. ⁴ For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you. Christ will deal with the Corinthians. Paul will not deal with them. Jesus Christ was weak when he died. But that does not mean that he was a weak person. He is now the judge. Some of the Corinthians had behaved badly. That was at the Lord’s Supper. Paul reminded them that some were weak and ill. Some had even died. Therefore, it would be better if they judged themselves. They would then change their behaviour. Otherwise, Christ would judge them. That would not be good. Christ is speaking through Paul. Christ has given Paul authority to act for him. Paul has given a serious warning.

⁵ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? Paul reminds them how they should behave. They should remember that they are living temples of the Holy Spirit. ⁶ And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. We should test ourselves. We will find that we are true Christians. The Holy Spirit is in us. Then we will recognise other people who also pass the test. ⁷ Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. Paul does not worry about passing the test. He does not worry about appearing right in their eyes. The important thing is that they keep away from wrong. It is important that they do right.

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Monday's reading for 2 Corinthians 13:8-14

⁸ For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. ⁹ We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

¹⁰ I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.
¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters,^[c] I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
¹² Greet each other with a sacred kiss. ¹³ All of God’s people here send you their greetings.
^14 [d]May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.