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Daily Devotions

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 
Day 
Day 189

"If I come again I will not spare-"

Text: 2 Corinthians 13:2

EXERCISING APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

The Apostles of Christ were given significant authority as they went about establishing the Church. They had power and authority to deal with problems, as the Spirit of God led them.

“I have told you before,
and foretell as if I were present the second time,
and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before,
and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare-”
2 Corinthians 13:2

1. “I have told you before”

a) Paul felt he needed to repeat himself.
b) He was not sure if the Corinthians had understood and heeded his word.

2. “And foretell as if I were present the second time”

a) The second visit must have been different from the first one.
b) It was most likely a painful visit.
c) “Foretell”
i) It literally means “To speak beforehand”.
ii) It is essentially a forewarning.

3. “And now being absent I write to those who have sinned before”

a) Paul was writing in absentia.
b) The specific people
i) Those who had sinned before.
ii) They had been warned to repent.
iii) But they had not heeded.

4. “And to all the rest”

a) The rest of the Church is in mind.
b) The congregation would be informed.

5. “That if I come again”

a) If the Lord so willed it.
b) Paul was always conscious of the Lord’s will.

6. “I will not spare”

a) Paul would use the apostolic power and authority invested in him.
b) He will do whatever the Lord wants him to do.

Even if it means disciplining or chastising the unrepentant sinners!