2 Corinthians 10-13

In the closing chapters of 2 Corithians Paul is attempting to lead the believers into correct living via the letter so that he will not have to confront them face to face. He summarized this in the first part of 13:10. In the latter part of that verse he acknowledges that he has God given authority. He also mentions the purpose of that authority. It is not to make believers act rightly; his prayers were for God’s leading in that (vs 7). The purpose of God’s authority in Paul’s ministry was to build up believers. If that was true of the apostle Paul then surely the authority of all the other apostles was the same; to build up the body. That sounds remarkably similar to the command Paul gave for the selection of elders in Titus 1:9. The idea harmonizes with Paul’s thought in Ephesians 4:15-16. We need to be very careful with the authority that we have been granted. We should monitor that we are using it to build up the body. Paul’s letters to the believers in Corinth give us multiple examples of how to exercise this expression of authority. Repeatedly he works to redirect the actions of all the believes without downgrading his audience. He calls out people only when necessary but seldom places the blame on any one person or group. We need to be careful in following that example in every circumstance.

 

Stuart