2 Coríntios 13
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 13
Guzik - We are not to look for perfection—in ourselves or in others—but we should see real evidence of Jesus Christ in us. Robert Gundry - 2Cor 13:5–6: Be testing yourselves [to see] if you’re in the faith. Be proving yourselves. Some Corinthians are seeking proof that the Christ is speaking in Paul (2Co 13:3). So Paul turns the tables on them by telling them to prove themselves. The proof will have to start with self-testing as to whether they’re “in the faith,” that is, as to whether their conduct proves or disproves the genuineness of their professed belief in Christ. If they fail this self-test, they’d better repent of their opposition to Paul and of their immorality (the latter listed in 2Co 12:21). Otherwise they face Paul’s unsparing excommunication (2Co 13:2). The present tense of testing and proving puts a spotlight on Paul’s commands (compare 2Co 2:9). Or you recognize about yourselves, don’t you, that Jesus Christ [is] in you unless indeed you’re disproved [= disqualified, proved not to be a true believer]? The affirmative answer implied by this question compliments the Corinthians on their knowledge but leaves them without excuse. They know better than to assume they don’t have to prove by their conduct that Jesus Christ is in them, which is the flip side of their being in the faith (compare Romans 8:10; Galatians 2:20). “Or,” which introduces Paul’s question, makes it an alternative to the preceding command, as though to say, “If you’re not inclined to be proving yourselves because of my command that you do so, then be proving yourselves because of your knowledge that Jesus Christ is in you unless you’re disproved.” “Indeed” stresses the possibility of being disproved and thus unsaved despite a profession of faith (see the comments on 1 Corinthians 9:27, where the word translated “disproved” here in 2Co 13:5 is translated “disqualified” in accordance with the context there of athletic competition). Because of the frequency with which Paul portrays believers as “in Christ” we might have expected him to say here, “that you’re in Christ.” But he says, “that Jesus Christ [is] in you,” for a parallel with the Corinthians’ seeking proof of the Christ speaking “in” Paul (2Co 13:3). So the reversal of “in Christ” underlines Paul’s turning the tables on the Corinthians by commanding them to prove themselves rather than seeking proof concerning him. Whereas the Christ is powerful in his dealings “among” the Corinthians as a body of believers (2Co 13:3), here he’s present “in” believers individually unless they’re disproved. (Commentary on the New Testament) Dr. S Lewis Johnson former professor at Dallas Theological Seminary offers somewhat of a "hybrid interpretation" that is not incompatible with the two most common interpretations (#1) and ( #2) of 2 Corinthians 13:5… The apostle now turns to the necessity of self-examination. He states in the fifth verse, “Test yourselves to see if you’re in the faith. Examine yourselves.” They had been testing him. He turns the table on them and twice and emphatically says, “Test yourselves.” He uses that word in the emphatic position twice, “Yourselves test,” “Test yourselves.” Now in stating this it’s very plain why he says that. If they fail the test, they have no right to blame the apostle for anything. If they’re not believers, if they fail the test and they don’t even belong to the Lord, what right do they have to criticize an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ? And turning it on the other side, if they pass the test, how can they blame the apostle because the apostle is the one who brought them the knowledge that they claim that they have. So the apostle has them on the horns of a dilemma. The irony is obvious, if they pass they cannot blame Paul, if they fail they cannot blame Paul. The fact that they are a Christian Assembly is testimony ultimately to the faithfulness and the authenticity of the preaching of the Apostle Paul. So if they fail, they cannot blame him. If they pass, they cannot blame the evangelist who brought them to the condition in which they are passing the test. (Ed: This interpretation is more in line with interpretation #2). (Ed: Now Dr. Johnson seems to apply 2Cor 13:5 in a manner that is more in keeping with interpretation #1) When we say, “Test ourselves or examine yourselves,” we’re saying something that we need in the United States of America, and in fact, in the Western world. There are literally millions of professing Christians who need to pay attention to this statement of the apostle. They have entered into a shallow commitment to Christianity, they’ve joined the church, they’ve been baptized or they’ve done other things that might make them think that they are genuine believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. They’ve been encouraged to think that, by men who’ve not been careful to point out that there is more to becoming a Christian than subscribing to a statement. They don’t hate sin. They don’t love holiness. They do not pray. They do not study the word of God. They do not walk humbly with God. (Ed comment: Could Christ be in such individuals? I think not!) These individuals, so many of them stand in the same danger in which the Corinthians stood. And the apostle’s words, “Test yourselves to see if your in the faith, examine yourselves,” are valid words that each of us should ponder. (The Place of Self-Examination - 2 Corinthians 13:1-14) Let not soft slumber close your eyes, Before you’ve collected thrice The train of action through the day! Where have my feet chose out their way? What have I learnt, where’er I’ve been, From all I’ve heard, from all I’ve seen? What have I more that’s worth the knowing? What have I done that’s worth the doing? What have I sought that I should shun? What duty have I left undone, Or into what new follies run? These self-inquiries are the road That lead to virtue and to God. Bishop Hopkins If your state be good, searching into it will give you that comfort of it. If your state be bad, searching into it cannot make it worse; nay, it is the only way to make it better, for conversion begins with conviction. IS ASSURANCE OBJECTIVE OR SUBJECTIVE? “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” 2 CORINTHIANS 13:5 True believers will see the glory of Christ reflected in their lives when they examine the genuineness of their salvation. Assurance of one’s salvation has been a key issue throughout the history of the church, especially the Reformers’ reaction to the Roman Catholic Church’s assertion that since salvation is a joint effort between man and God, the outcome is in doubt until the end. John Calvin, the leading sixteenth–century Reformer, taught that believers can and should be assured of their salvation. He made the grounds for assurance objective, urging believers to look to the promises in God’s Word to gain a sense of personal assurance. Later Reformed theologians (including the seventeenth–century English Reformers known as Puritans), however, recognized that genuine Christians often lacked assurance. So they emphasized the need for practical evidences of salvation in a believer’s life. Thus they tended to emphasize a subjective means of establishing assurance, counseling people to examine their attitudes and actions for evidence of their election. The question is: Should Christians derive assurance through the objective promises of Scripture or through subjective self–examination? The Bible teaches that both will lead to assurance. The objective basis for salvation is the finished work of Christ on our behalf, including the promises of Scripture (2 Cor. 1:20). The subjective support is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians, including His convicting and sanctifying ministries. Romans 15:4 refers to both aspects of assurance: “Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance [subjective] and the encouragement of the Scriptures [objective] we might have hope.” The Holy Spirit applies both grounds of assurance to believers: He “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16). Are you sure of your salvation? Ask yourself the objective question: “Do I believe?” If you truly believe, you can be sure you are saved (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). The subjective question is: “Is my faith real?” That’s why Paul said, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor 13:5). Use the remaining days of this month as an opportunity to take the test. (John
2 Coríntios 13
Guzik - Just as Jesus displayed weakness yet now reigns in power, so Paul will come with similar power after showing the Corinthian Christians his weakness. Colin Kruse - Paul reminds his readers that the Christ who now lives by the power of God was once crucified in weakness. This provides a paradigm by which they should understand the paradox of Paul’s own apostolic ministry: For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we shall live with him by the power of God. The many evidences of the apostle’s weakness (cf. 1:3–11; 4:7–12; 11:23–29) should not blind the Corinthians to the fact that Christ’s power is being manifested in his apostolate. (Tyndale NT Commentary online - 2 Corinthians 13) For we also are weak (astheneo) in Him, yet we will live (zao) with Him because of the power of God directed toward you- Amplified = "And though we too are weak in Him [as He was humanly weak], yet in dealing with you [we shall show ourselves] alive and strong in [fellowship with] Him by the power of God." Paul affirms that he is fully confident that despite his weakness, he is in union with Christ (in Him) and like Christ, he will have the (resurrection) power of God manifest in and through him when he is before the Corinthians and deals with them. Homer Kent - If it bothered the Corinthians that Paul did not always behave as a powerful, authoritarian leader, let them remember that Christ also had displayed this combination of weakness and strength. He had shown “weakness” by human estimation when He submitted meekly to His enemies without violence or retaliation, and endured the humiliation of crucifixion. That was not the whole story, however, for He also was resurrected by the power of God, showing that His “weakness” was no permanent nor degrading condition. (A Heart Opened Wide: Studies in 2 Corinthians)
2 Coríntios 13:5
Guzik - Paul asks the Corinthian Christians to consider a sobering question: “Am I really a Christian?” We are rightly concerned that every believer have the assurance of salvation, and know how to endure the attacks that come from Satan in this area. At the same time, we also understand that there are some who assume or presume them are Christians when they are not. It is a challenge to all (Ed: To all who call themselves "Christian"). (2 Corinthians 13 Commentary) Yourselves - This pronoun is first in the Greek sentence emphasizing that the readers (including you and I) needed to focus not as much on others as on themselves (ourselves!). How tempting it is to "test" others in our church but blindly fail to see the need to test ourselves. Paul's admonition reminds one of Jesus' warning concerning judging in His Sermon on the Mount… Do not judge (the present imperative with a negative implies this was taking place) lest you be judged. (Now Jesus amplifies His warning on why we had better be very careful when we judge!) For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?" You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Mt 7:1, 2+, Mt 7:3, 4, 5+) Comment: This was my children's favorite verse when they were still at home. "Dad, the Bible says not to judge!" It is vitally important for the heath of the church to realize what Jesus is not saying in this passage. He is not saying judgment has no place in our homes (or in the church) but that such judgment must be carried out with pure hearts and motives and with due caution, for ultimately only God sees the heart, all the facts and all the circumstances behind the actions of others. John Wesley told the story of a man for whom initially he had little respect because he judged him to be guilty of a miserly and covetous heart. On one occasion when this man contributed only a pittance to what Wesley deemed a worthy charity, the famous preacher openly criticized him. Afterwards, the judged man went to Wesley privately and related that he had been living on parsnips and water for several weeks. He went on to explain that before his conversion, he had run up a considerable amount of debt. Now, by skimping on everything and buying nothing for himself he was slowly paying off his creditors one at a time. The man went on to tell Wesley Christ has made me an honest man, and so with all these debts to pay, I can give only a few offerings above my tithe. I must settle up with my worldly neighbors and show them what the grace of God can do in the heart of a man who was once dishonest. Wow! Talk about a piercing Wesley's heart! Clearly convicted of his own judgmental spirit, the contrite Wesley apologized to the man, and sought his forgiveness (a good example for all of us to emulate, as we all fall into this easy trap of judging the actions, words and/or deeds of others). From the context it is clear that Christ is warning us not to judge the motives behind the actions of others, because their motives are usually hidden from us. We must attempt to put the best reasonable interpretation upon what they say and do, and not judge their hearts, for such judgment belongs solely to the omnipotent God. However, we are called to judge doctrines and deeds. David Guzik - We are often very ready to examine and test others. But first, and always first, we must examine and test ourselves. “That was the trouble at Corinth. They criticized Paul and failed to examine themselves.” (Redpath) (2 Corinthians 13) Homer Kent - The word “yourselves” is emphatic in both statements; the idea is, “Yourselves be testing … yourselves be proving.” Paul was aware that the Corinthians had been clamoring for him to prove himself (2Co 13:3). They should have been more concerned about themselves. Paul asks the Corinthians to test themselves regarding “the faith,” that is, the Christian faith. Were they true Christians? Did they really recognize that Christ Jesus was dwelling in them and had brought new life? Surely they would acknowledge these things to be true. The only alternative was to fail the test, and Paul did not consider this at all likely. (A Heart Opened Wide: Studies in 2 Corinthians) C K Barrett introduces his comments on this verse noting that "It seems clear that the Corinthians have been testing Paul and other claimants to apostolic status, and that Paul is at least in some-danger of being rejected, as a much less impressive missionary than others who have taken greater care to make their qualifications and merits known. He now replies that the Corinthians have been testing the wrong persons; they should test themselves. ( Black's New Testament commentary: The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA, 1973) Butler quips "If these Corinthians want Paul to prove his calling, let them also prove their conversion. The believers in Corinth need to do some personal examining as well as examining of Paul. Can they prove they are believers? They need to prove it to themselves. In fact, all professing believers need to examine their own hearts to make sure they are actually believers and not pretenders. (Analytical Bible Expositor: I & II Corinthians) It is worth noting that test (peirazo) is in the present imperative which is a command calling for continual attention. Interesting! A word of caution is in order here, for Paul is in no way attempting to undermine the doctrine of assurance of salvation or the doctrine of eternal security. He certainly is not implying that one can lose their salvation and that because of that possibility they need to continually be testing themselves to make sure they have not lost it! To the contrary, the old adage is true -- "Once saved, always saved!" (Assuming the initial salvation is genuine!) Surely this command is not necessary for those who are in the modern evangelical church in America. If you believe that statement, then read Charles Colson's pithy words (circa 1990) Pollsters tell us that 50 million Americans say they are born again. Evangelicals have come out of the closet in recent years, accompanied by a surge of Christian books, records, celebrities and candidates. No doubt about it, religion is up. But so are values unremittingly opposed to the truth of Christianity: One out of every two marriages shatters in divorce; one out of three pregnancies terminates in abortion. Homosexuality is no longer considered depravity, but an “alternative lifestyle.” Crime continues to soar—in “Christian” America there are 100 times more burglaries than in “pagan” Japan. That is the great paradox today: Sin abounds in the midst of unprecedented religiosity. If there are so many of us, why are we not affecting our world? Comment: Excellent question, which in turn begs the corollary question "Are there really so many of us?" The answer would seem to be simple - either there are not truly so many (i.e., many profess Christ but do not truly possess Christ!) or there are so many whose "salt" is not very salty (Mt 5:13-note) and whose "lamp" is dirty, dimmed and/or hidden (cf Mt 5:14, 15, 16-note)! Guzik - To (test) yourself, in fact, is to submit to the examination and scrutiny of Jesus Christ the Lord - and this never to fix attention on sin but on Christ - and to ask Him to reveal that which in you grieves His Spirit; to ask Him to give you grace that it might be put away and cleansed in His precious blood.” Self examination “takes the chill away from your soul, it takes the hardness away from your heart, it takes the shadows away from your life, it sets the prisoner free.” (Redpath) (2 Corinthians 13) Adam
2 Coríntios 13:5
Guzik notes that here Paul describes what we are to look for when we test and examine ourselves "We are to see that Jesus Christ is in you. We are not to look for perfection, in ourselves or in others; but we should see real evidence of Jesus Christ in us. (2 Corinthians 13) John Piper spoke almost like a modern day "prophet" (in the sense of speaking forth, not speaking before it comes to pass and not in the sense of new revelation) to the evangelical church in America when he said.. I sometimes fear that we have so redefined conversion in terms of human decisions and have so removed any necessity of the experience of God’s Spirit, that many people think they are saved when in fact they only have Christian ideas in their head not spiritual power in their heart. (from How to Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit) (Bolding added) Comment: In other words, he fears the tragic and dangerous deception that many people are sitting in their same seat in church Sunday after Sunday and yet they have never allowed the Spirit of Christ to take His "seat" in their heart (cf Ro 8:9-note)!
2 Coríntios 13:5
Guzik - Paul knew there were some among the Corinthian Christians who were disqualified for eternal life and salvation. Their thinking was worldly because they were of the world, not of the Lord. This is a hard truth to confront, but it is better to know now than when it is too late! The word for disqualified is simply the negative of the word for test in this same passage. If we don’t examine ourselves and test ourselves now, we may find that we ultimately don’t pass the test and are disqualified. Adam