So, why did Paul have to send so many letters to the church in Corinth? Because the sad fact is that even true Christians are subject to deception. Even those who are truly brothers and sisters in Christ sometimes have disagreements that divide us. And sometimes we can even deceive ourselves, convincing ourselves that our sinful desires are actually godly and good for ourselves and others.

That’s why we all need people like Paul to show up and to speak the truth into our lives, no matter how unpleasant it may be. But make no mistake – when we admonish one another, we must not base our criticisms on our own opinions or preferences or on what our reason or our traditions tell us is good and proper. No, as verse 8 says, we must speak only the truth, and just as Paul does throughout all his letters, we must find that truth only in the Word of God.

But because even well-meaning Christians can sometimes misunderstand or misinterpret the Scriptures, it is best for us to administer Church discipline in groups. In verse 1, Paul points out that multiple witnesses were required to convict anyone of breaking the Law of Moses (see Deuteronomy 19:15) – for if every Christian is subject to the deception of sin, we are all equally capable of mistakes in judgment, especially where the actions and motives of others are concerned.

And if we are aware of how vulnerable we all are to rationalization and self-deception, we should not wait for others to confront us with our sin. Instead, we should constantly be examining ourselves (v. 5), measuring our thoughts, feelings and actions against the Scriptures, which are our only inerrant and infallible rule of faith and practice.

And if we cultivate such a humble spirit, if we are just as willing to receive Scriptural admonition as we are to give it, how can we doubt that we will find the sort of comfort and agreement and peace that Paul describes in verse 11? Maybe, instead of continuing to avoid conflict, a relentless honesty about all our struggles with sin really is the best recipe for restoring all our relationships.

II Corinthians 13:1-14 (ESV)

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them–
3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?– unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong– not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.
8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.