Aim for Perfection

2 Corinthians 12:11-13:14

Key Verse 13:11

This passage contains the grand conclusion of the two long epistles (1 and 2 Corinthians), that is, Paul's prayer for the perfection of the saints. In John 17, the Apostle John also expressed the same prayer topic which Jesus offered right before his sufferings, that is, his prayer for perfect unity among all who believe in the Lord. John 17:23

Read 12:11-9. What do the following questions indicate about the relationship between the Corinthians and the Apostle Paul? 

How were you inferior to other churches, except that I was never a [financial] burden to you?

If I love you more will you love me less?

Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you?

Titus did not exploit you, did he?

Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course? 

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you?    

What does this teach us about the way to see and relate ourselves to the servant(s) the Lord is sending into our lives? (John 12:44; 13:20; Luke 10:16; Gal 4:14)

** This passage indicates that their relationship remained broken. 

** It is the key to us maintaining a good relationship with the one who sends the servants. We cannot separate the visible servants from the invisible God. Rejecting visible servants is rejecting the invisible God. 

Read 12:20-21. What is Paul afraid of? What does this passage indicate about the Corinthians' relationship with one another?

** Messy

Read 13:1-6. What did some Corinthians demand? What is Paul's response (3-6)

** The proof that Christ speaks through Paul.

** Christ is already there (meaning that since Christ spoke through Paul, Christ came to be there among them.) This is like a man asking the UPS delivery man for proof that the goods had indeed been delivered to him. The UPS delivery man responds saying, "It is inside the box which is still standing at your front door. Go and open it." 

Read verses 7-11 and think about the prayer topic, "Our prayer is for your perfection." What does "perfection" mean?

** It means: a) doing what is right; b) not doing anything wrong; c) living by the truth; d) being of one mind; and e) living in peace with others (and with the Lord). 

 

Read verses 12-14. What does this passage tell us about God's will for all people on earth?

** God's will for all is for them to secure "complete unity" among all believers by all believing in the Lord, through the grace of our Lord Jesus, by the power of the love of God, via fellowship with the Holy Spirit. 

The end