II Corinthians 13:6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
Paul’s testimony was clear. The true saints would know that he was a true apostle. The deceived would judge him a false teacher, but they would accept the false teachers as being truthful.
Without the Lord as your foundation and you anchor, you cannot make wise choices. It is sad to see deceived people pursuing their imaginations, rather than submitting to the Word of God.
Paul’s prayer in verse 7 was that the recipients would do no evil. That is the goal of every true child of God. We know the flesh will win out at times, but the desire is to please God.
Paul’s concern for their purity was not to make himself look good. His walk with God was not dependent upon them or anyone else. Every child of God is accountable for his or her own choices. Every lost person is also accountable for their own choice. Paul’s concern was that the saints would have a good testimony among others. The world is watching those who claim to be Christians. They love to find fault. They also love to see professing Christians sin because it justifies their own sin as well. That is why people will go to a New Evangelical church because sin is acceptable there so people can feel comfortable in their sin.
Paul was willing to be considered a reprobate in their eyes, even though he knew that was not true. Again, he is using hyperbole to get their attention. If they were truly saved and walking with the Lord they would trust in him and they would grow in the Lord.
Paul reminded them that he could not change the truth. The perversions and the perverters try to change the truth. However, God’s Word is first of all settled in heaven, and it is also preserved on this earth. The perversions do not cancel out the truth. Those who are saved, will reject the perversions and will hold to the truth. Those who are saved will contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints. They can preach the word in season and out of season.
In verse 9 Paul was willing to be perceived as weak. He was concerned with their spiritual strength. Again, it was not about Paul. He was not a hypocrite. He was not demanding things of the saints that he was not willing to do. He wanted them to be strengthened. He wanted to see them growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what matters.
In verse 10 Paul defended his message. It was ultimately not his message. He was given it from the Lord. He was writing without being there. He hoped they would heed his words so that he did not need to be abrupt when he was with them. He wanted them to repent toward God and confess their sin and be forgiven and strengthened in the inner man.
Paul was writing and speaking under the authority of the Lord. That authority was designed to edify, to build up the saints. God is not interested in tearing people down. Again, the lost like to put others down to make themselves look better. The saved will expose sin so that the sinner can address their sin. The saved are not trying to make themselves look better. The lost often misunderstand what is happening, but that is to their own detriment. It is foolish to waste time on false perceptions. It is wise to listen to the Word of God and know His peace and forgiveness.
Pastor Bartel