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Some had evidently said that his reluctance to use his apostolic power in judgment
meant that in reality he was no apostle:
"Since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me, He is not weak in dealing with
you, but is powerful in you. For He was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of
God" (13: 3 & 4, R.S.V.).
To all such he asserts that the power of Christ would be a reality amongst them and he
would be a vehicle of that power. By worldly standards the Lord was `crucified in
weakness', but Christ crucified in reality was the power of God (I Cor. 1: 18) and this
power would be manifested in no uncertain way in their midst.
Did they demand proof of his apostleship? Let them examine themselves first and test
the genuineness of their own faith:
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves.
Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
(13: 5, R.S.V.).
The Apostle expresses the hope that the Corinthians will realize that he is no
`counterfeit' (adokimos, reprobate) apostle. Also that they may not do wrong, rather the
reverse (verses 6 and 7). He would gladly appear to be weak in their eyes, as long as they
are strong, not in themselves, but in Christ and the power He alone can impart:
"This we also pray for, even your perfecting" (13: 9, R.V.).
The word translated `perfecting' here is katartisis, which is cognate with katartizesthe,
`be perfected' in verse 11. This is not the usual word which means maturity as `let us go
on to maturity (perfection)' of Heb. 6: 1. Katartizo is twice rendered mending their nets
in Matt. 4: 21 and Mark 1: 19. It occurs in Gal. 6: 1 where a believer who is
overtaken in a fault is restored. The word means `restoration to wholeness', and usually
there is the thought of rupture in the background.
At Corinth there was certainly rupture and disunity caused by sin and failing, and Paul
is concerned to see this lamentable condition remedied and full unity in walk and witness
restored. If this was done there would be no need for him to have to deal severely with
offenders when he visited them:
"For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal
sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for
casting down" (13: 10, R.V.).
Thus he feels it essential to repeat himself (see 10: 8) and warn them again, doubtless
hoping that this would be effective, so avoiding another painful confrontation such as had
occurred on his second visit. Paul was always desirous of constructive building up. It is
a rewarding study to note the contexts which deal with `edification' which is at the root
of all profitable ministry and teaching. It is so easy to tear down and criticize, but it takes
a real knowledge of the Word of God together with patience and wisdom to build up
believers in the Truth.