13:7-10
Even though Paul is confident that they will find that he has not failed the test, his real concern is that they will do what is right, they will act and live in accordance with the truth. The desire of Paul and his co-workers is that the Corinthians are restored. He does not want to be harsh with them, his heart is to build them up. At the same time, he does this with the authority of the Lord. There is a tension in all positions of leadership. We must not become proud and overbearing, but at the same time we must not forget the authority that we do have and must exercise it properly.
13:11
“Rejoice!” This seems a little out of place given the severe criticisms that there have been in this letter, particularly in the latter part. However, this reaction is largely a result of wrong attitudes on our part. We see correction as negative, or we receive it as condemnation. Jesus said that He did not come to condemn the world (John 3:17). We take that as meaning He didn’t come to criticise or correct us. That is not the meaning. What means is that He did not come to criticise us and then inflict judgement upon us because of our sins. He came to highlight our sin, and then to call us to repentance, after which we will receive forgiveness and new life. Paul is doing the same. Jesus came to save us from our sins, and Paul is seeking to save the Corinthians from their sins. So we should rejoice when the Holy Spirit corrects us. They are to strive for full restoration. Our goal should be to be fully in line with God and His word. So Paul urges them to be united, to be of one mind, to be at peace. These are the exact opposite traits to the ones that the party spirit was engendering.
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