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"That you may be made complete."

Text: 2 Corinthians 13:9

IN THE REALM OF PRAYER

Prayer was something that Paul engaged in personally. He encouraged people to pray. His epistles contained examples of how he prayed for the churches he founded. Prayer was real and precious to Paul.

“For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong.
And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.”
2 Corinthians 13:9

1. “For we are glad”

a) This may be translated, “And we rejoice”.

b) Paul expressed sincere and active rejoicing.

2. “When we are weak”

a) Rejoicing was practised even when weakness is felt.

b) Paul had learned how to do this effectively (2 Corinthians 12:9).

3. “And you are strong”

a) There were some who were strong.

i) Physically

ii) Spiritually

b) Paul was able to rejoice with all who were truly strong.

4. “And this also we pray”

a) Once again, we have a reference to prayer.

b) Prayer was a natural response of Paul.

5. “That you may be made complete”

a) This is an interesting word employed by Paul.

b) There are a number of nuances attached to this word (Greek “Artios”).

i) It is used with reference to mending something broken.

ii) A fishing net that has suffered some damage may be mended and “made complete” (Mark 1:19).

iii) It is used to describe a servant of God equipped and made complete by the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:17).

c) In the context of the Corinthian Church:

i) This was a needed prayer for the Corinthian believers.

ii) The Corinthians were not complete in so many areas of their understanding of faith and life.

iii) They needed to be instructed, cleansed and then equipped so that they may be made complete in their life and ministry.