aThis is the third time that I am visiting you. bEVERY FACT SHALL BE SUSTAINED and CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. Deut 19:152 Cor 12:14Deut 17:6; 19:15; Matt 18:16 2 I have already warned those who have asinned in the past and all the rest as well, and I warn them now even though I am absent from you as I did when I was with you the second time, that bif I come back I will not cspare anyone,2 Cor 12:211 Cor 4:21; 2 Cor 13:102 Cor 1:23; 10:11 3 since you aseek forensic proof that bChrist is speaking in and through me. He is not weak or ineffective in dealing with you, but cpowerful within you.2 Cor 10:1, 10Matt 10:20; 1 Cor 5:4; 7:402 Cor 9:8; 10:4 4 For even though He was acrucified in weakness yielding Himself, yet He lives resurrected bby the power of God His Father. For we too are cweak in Him as He was humanly weak, yet we are dalive and well in fellowship with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.Phil 2:7f; 1 Pet 3:18Rom 1:4; 6:4; 1 Cor 6:141 Cor 2:3; 2 Cor 13:9Rom 6:8
5 aTest and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as committed believers. bExamine yourselves not me! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves by an ongoing experience that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you cfail the test and are rejected as counterfeit?John 6:61 Cor 11:281 Cor 9:27 6 But I hope you will acknowledge that we do not fail the test nor are we to be rejected. 7 But I pray to God that you may do nothing wrong. Not so that we and our teaching may appear to be approved, but that you may continue doing what is right, even though we by comparison may seem to have failed. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth and the gospel—the good news of salvation. 9 We are glad when we are aweak since God’s power comes freely through us, but you by comparison are strong. We also pray for this, that you be bmade complete fully restored, growing and maturing in godly character and spirit—pleasing your heavenly Father by the life you live.2 Cor 12:10; 13:41 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:11; Eph 4:12; 1 Thess 3:10 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent from you, so that when I come, aI will not need to deal bseverely with you, in my use of the cauthority which the Lord has given me to be used for building you up and not for tearing you down.2 Cor 2:3Titus 1:131 Cor 5:4; 2 Cor 10:8
11 aFinally, believers, rejoice! bBe made complete be what you should be, be comforted, cbe like-minded, dlive in peace enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God; and ethe God of love and peace the source of lovingkindness will be with you.1 Thess 4:1; 2 Thess 3:11 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:9; Eph 4:12; 1 Thess 3:10Rom 12:16Mark 9:50Rom 15:33; Eph 6:23 12 aGreet one another with a 1holy kiss.A traditional greeting in biblical times, much like today’s handshake and hug.Rom 16:16 13 aAll 1God’s people greet you.Lit the saints.Phil 4:22
14 aThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the blove of God, and the cfellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.Rom 16:20; 2 Cor 8:9Rom 5:5; Jude 21Phil 2:1