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"Lest being present I should use sharpness..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 13:10

THE AUTHORITY OF AN APOSTLE

Paul was very conscious of the authority that the Lord had given to all His apostles. He would much rather use the authority given positively rather than negatively.

“Therefore I write these things being absent,
lest being present I should use sharpness,
according to the authority which the Lord has given me
for edification and not for destruction.”
2 Corinthians 13:10

1. “Therefore I write these things being absent”

a) These things would be a reference to the Epistles that Paul had written to the Corinthians.

b) He was absent from Corinth and thus he resorted to writing.

c) But his writings were no less authoritative.

2. “Lest being present I should use sharpness”

a) Paul contemplated how he might conduct himself in ministry in Corinth.

b) If there were people who continued to remain unrepentant, then he would have to use sharpness.

c) He would have to deal with the unrepentant severely.

3. “According to the authority which the Lord has given me”

a) To rebuke

b) To chasten

c) To wield the authority and power of God

i) To discipline the unrepentant sinner.

ii) To rein in sin.

iii) To restore order in the Church.

iv) He may even have to employ drastic measures.

4. “For edification”

a) Paul would prefer to edify and build the church further.

b) This would glorify the Lord.

c) The church would be further strengthened and encouraged.

5. “For destruction”

a) This would, of course, be last resort.

b) Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead by the Spirit of God.

c) This was within the authority that God had entrusted His Apostles.