2 Corinthians 13
The Call to Self-Examination: Lessons from 2 Corinthians 13
This chapter carries some powerful themes that are deeply relevant to our lives today, especially in the context of self-examination and living out our faith with sincerity and integrity.
A Parental Love and Challenge
One of the first things that stands out in this chapter is Paul's tone, which almost feels like that of a parent. He’s been walking alongside the Corinthians for some time now, writing letters, guiding them through challenges, and preparing to visit them once again. In his final remarks, Paul is serious: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). There’s a gentle but firm challenge in his words, much like a parent who says, “I’m coming to check in, and it might not be pretty, but it’s for your good.”
It made us laugh as we thought about our own experiences of being corrected. Klarc shared how growing up, he would hear his parents call from downstairs, “Don’t make us come up there!”—a warning that always signaled it was time to shape up. The love behind that correction was unmistakable, and that’s exactly what Paul is doing here with the Corinthians: he loves them enough to call them out and challenge them to examine their hearts and their actions.
Self-Examination: Are We Living True?
The command to examine ourselves is not always an easy one. Paul asks the Corinthians, “Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? Unless, of course, you fail the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5). But how often do we take time to truly examine our own hearts and lives in light of God’s Word? It’s so much easier to point the finger at others, isn’t it? We’re quick to judge our spouses, our kids, or even strangers on social media. But Paul calls us to a much harder task: self-examination.
What does this look like practically? It’s about reflecting on our thoughts, words, and actions, and asking ourselves some tough questions:
Is what I’m thinking, saying, and doing true?
Does it line up with God’s Word?
What is my motivation behind these actions?
It’s easy to perform "religious" acts, like serving others or posting encouraging messages on social media, but if our motivation is to seek approval, boast about how great we are, or fill an inner void of discontentment, we miss the mark. Klarc shared an insightful example from a class he once took on social media. The teacher encouraged everyone to ask themselves these five questions before posting:
Am I seeking approval? Am I looking for likes or validation?
Am I boasting? Do I want people to admire how amazing I am?
Am I discontent? Am I posting out of boredom or a desire to fill an emotional gap?
Is this a moment to protect? Are there things that should remain private, shared only with close friends or family?
Is this kind? Am I being loving and kind with my words and actions?
These questions challenge us to stop and think before we act, especially in a world that often urges us to perform for others. It’s an invitation to check our hearts.
Doing What is Right, Even When it’s Hard
Another key verse from this chapter that resonated with us is 2 Corinthians 13:7, where Paul writes, “Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong, not so that people will see that we have stood the test, but so that you will do what is right, even though we may seem to have failed.”
This verse is powerful because it reminds us that doing what is right is not about getting recognition or proving ourselves to others. It’s about aligning with what God wants, regardless of how it might look in the moment. This is especially challenging when we feel like we’re not seeing the fruit of our efforts.
Consider the lives of some of history’s most faithful figures, like the prophets in the Old Testament. God gave them messages of judgment and hope, but they often saw no immediate results—sometimes not even in their lifetimes. The same can be said for people like Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King Jr. Both of these leaders faced tremendous opposition, and neither lived to see the full effects of their work. But their faithfulness to their calling had a lasting impact on the world, even if it didn’t look like success from the outside at the time.
For us as Christians, walking in faith can feel similar. We might feel led to reach out to someone, offer encouragement, or pray for a situation, and yet not see any immediate results. We might even feel like we’ve failed. But Paul reminds us: doing what is right is not about our perception of success; it’s about obedience to God, even when we don’t see the outcome we expect.
Faithful Obedience, Even When We Don’t See Results
Klarc shared a personal story about a time he felt the Holy Spirit prompting him during a worship service. He sensed that someone in the room was struggling to breathe physically, and though it seemed a bit strange to speak up in front of the congregation, he followed through. At first, there was silence. But then, a woman in the back raised her hand, revealing she was struggling with anxiety and depression. It wasn’t just that one person who responded—someone else who hadn’t raised their hand later sent an email saying the word had been for them, too.
This story is a reminder that when we follow God’s lead, we don’t always see the immediate fruit, but that doesn’t mean we’ve failed. Sometimes the impact is unseen, and we may never know the full extent of how God used our obedience. But we can trust that, as we live faithfully, God will use our actions in ways that go beyond what we can see.
Conclusion: A Call to Reflect, Obey, and Trust
As we reflect on 2 Corinthians 13, we’re reminded of the importance of self-examination, living with integrity, and trusting God even when the results are not what we expect. It’s easy to point the finger at others or to seek validation from the world, but Paul challenges us to check our own hearts and motivations first. And when we do what is right, even when it feels hard or we don’t see immediate results, we can trust that God is working in and through us for His purposes.
So, as we move forward, let’s embrace the call to examine ourselves and align our hearts with God’s will. Let’s do what is right, even when it’s difficult or we don’t see immediate success. In doing so, we reflect the love of Christ, and we trust that He is faithful to finish the work He has started in us.
