May 24, 2009 - Church Discipline

Meditation on 2 Corinthians 13

Both of the letters to Corinthians by Paul had to do with discipline. Paul urged the church to discipline those who were unruly and sinful. He himself warned them he intended to visit the church and face those who still would not repent and created problems in the church by accusation against Paul or spreading false teaching.

Here at the end of the second letter, he reminded them again that he would be bringing judgment against the trouble makers. He had ample proofs of his apostleship. Now he intended to exercise the authority God had given to him to judge those who continued in sin.

Those who had judged Paul would be now asked to examine themselves whether they were in the faith. (v. 5)

Paul preferred gentleness and peace. He encouraged them to greet each other with a holy kiss. (Usually man to man and woman to woman) As he close, He gave them a benediction from the triune God.

We trust that all our churches will be of one mind and have good comfort. But when it is necessary, church discipline should be administered by the men of God and the congregation.