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2 Corinthians 13:2–4
“I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you” (vv. 2–3).
Noting that “every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (2 Cor. 13:1), Paul implies that he will deal with sinners in Corinth if their impenitence is proven. In today’s passage, the Apostle states his intentions to exercise discipline explicitly. He will not “spare” those who persist in their transgressions and refuse to repent (v. 2). Paul, John Calvin argues, is talking about excommunication.
Second Corinthians 13:2–4 must be understood against the backdrop of the charges levied against Paul by the false apostles. The Apostle has mostly finished his dealing with their accusations, but they are operating in the background here. Among other things, the teachers of error in Corinth criticized Paul for having an ineffective ministry, boasting in their own “successes” (10:12–14). Based on today’s passage, commentators believe that Paul’s critics likely accused him of being unsuccessful because his discipline had thus far been unable to fully purge sin from the Corinthian congregation (see also 12:21). But the Apostle leaves no doubt that he will fully and finally bring the impenitent to account. The Corinthians wanted proof that Christ was working in him, and they would have it when he brought his full Apostolic authority to bear on the situation (13:2–3).
Paul’s actions will show the power of Christ crucified and risen even though in himself, Paul is weak (vv. 3–4). The Apostle is saying that the death of Christ stands against all impenitence, declaring that sinners must repent and that His rising again confirms His coming judgment on all those who do not heed the Apostolic message.
We do not have Apostles today, but the church retains authority to bring God’s power to bear against impenitent people through gospel preaching and discipline. We are to obey decisions of the church that are made in accordance with Scripture. Westminster Confession of Faith 31.2 states, “It belongs to synods and councils, ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his church; to receive complaints in cases of maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which decrees and determinations, if consonant to the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission; not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word.”
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
The church has true authority to discipline sin, and we err if we take the church’s admonitions lightly. In fact, we are all under the discipline of the church in some sense, for discipline extends all the way to sitting under the preached Word of God week in and week out. Let us always pay heed
to the church’s teaching when it is faithful to Scripture.
For Further Study
- Deuteronomy 16:18–20
- Ezekiel 44:15–31
- Acts 14:19–23
- Titus 1:5–9