Test Yourselves – 2 Corinthians 13:1-10

Passing a test! We’ve all experienced being tested and hopefully passing a test. To pass you must give answers that are on the mark with what you are supposed to be learning. Failure to meet this objective standard rules out that you have learned what you were supposed to learn.

There is an objective standard for whether a person is a Christian. John gives three in his first letter, correct doctrine, correct behavior and unselfish love. Paul is really highlighting these same standards, just in different terms, in his letter to the Corinthians and now is challenging them to see if they meet the test.

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 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. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. (2 Corinthians 13:1-10 ESV)

Paul finishes his letter with one final plea and warning.  This next coming to them will involve action regarding their disobedience, discipline by the power of God, the proof they seem to seek that Paul is not weak but strong.  Are they truly believers?  They must test themselves to see if indeed they are, and the test is whether they embrace the gospel Paul preached originally to them and reject the false teaching of the super-apostles.  This will also lead them to repent of their immoral behavior.

If the Corinthians do not give up their arrogance and dependence on personal strength, deal with these false super-apostles, and continue in their divisive behaviors and immorality, it will be apparent that they are not in the faith. Paul’s authority to turn them over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh (1 Corinthians 5) is real, and he will exercise it.

Paul wants to find them passing the test.  But he must follow the truth and so must they and in doing so they will be truly strong.  He doesn’t want to have to use his authority to “tear them down” but rather to build them up.  Heeding this warning will lead in that direction.

There are times when we must be tough with each other, tough love we may call it, in order to shock people into their senses in the Lord and for the sake of their souls.  If we love them we will not give up on them.

1. What is an important test you have failed?
2. If you were left to test yourself, why might you be fair rather than simply “pass” yourself?
3. What concerns might you have about testing someone to determine if they are a Christian or not?
4. Does having doubts about one’s salvation equate to being outside the faith?
5. Why do you think there need to be objective tests for whether someone is saved or not, instead of just claiming to have believed?
6. What should you do, if anything, with this teaching?