2 Corinthians 13:5 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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2 Corinthians 13:5

Comments

Each one must look carefully at himself, herself, to see if they are really trusting Christ in the faith, in the practice and the walk of putting their trust in him. He says prove, test your own selves. And then there is a curious statement but it is not so hard to understand. In modern language we would say – ‘Can’t you see that Christ is in you, if indeed he is?’ The signs of conversion and of being in the faith and of walking with the Lord are not hard to see. If he is in you, it will be quite plain to you. Can’t you see it? Unless you are unsaved, or you have fallen away and are so backslidden there is no evidence of his work in you. In examining themselves, the Corinthians will also need to examine the apostle, which will of course bear on the message of the gospel which they first heard from him. Their salvation is tied up with his authenticity as an apostle. Paul is confident that they will approve him. This will of course say more about the Corinthians than about him, for he is not seriously allowing them to question his status as an apostle, but setting them a test, which nevertheless he expects them to pass.

Application

What are the things that we ought to be able to see if Christ is in us? Is Christ my chief interest? That is the first sign that Christ is working in you. Is he my chief interest, the object of my chief love? The one to whom I feel constantly indebted. I cannot take a consuming interest in the politics of this world, though of course they are of interest to every Christian. We are observers of the times and discerners of things that go on. Nevertheless, we cannot be completely consumed by these, or by business, or completely consumed by family interests. But, you say, there are great portions of my life where I have fallen into the trap of business or family or the things going on in this world seeming to be my chief interest. Yes, it can happen, but when we think about it and wake ourselves up, what means more to us than anything if Christ is working in us? It is him. Is Christ my key destination? Is Christ our chief source of joy? Is he your highest and your best possession? Is he the source of many promptings? Is he the one to whom I call in great need? Is he the one whom I ultimately trust? Do I see Christ as the one whom I represent? Is there evidence that I am growing more like him? In that he always had a burden for people and a concern for souls and people. Do I find that in me? I cannot turn away and say I will leave that person be.

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2 Corinthians 13:5 Commentary and Bible Study