2 Corinthians 13:1

2 Corinthians 13:1 says, This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.  Paul said that he was coming to them a third time.  He had already been there when he proclaimed the gospel to them and had sent them another letter.  He had not reached them with the gospel and forgotten them.  He said that by the witnessing of two or three that every word would be established.  He was not asking them to only take his word for it.  When we are at work for Christ, there should be one or two other believers who can attest to our work.  In verse two adds, I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:  Paul said that he was speaking to them as if he were present with them.  He said he was writing to those who as believers were guilty of sinning in the church still.  Though we are all sinners who are saved by grace, we can no longer claim that it is okay to sin.  Paul was not writing to them with a holier than thou attitude, but with an attitude of love and compassion.  Verse three continues, Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.  Paul said they wanted proof that Christ was speaking through him, which they thought meant he would be strong and not weak as many of them viewed him.   Once more, we cannot judge a person's faith by their physical strength.  Verse four states, For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.  Paul said that Christ Himself was crucified in physical weakness, but that He lived by the power of God.  Paul then said that he was weak, but that he would live with Christ by the power of God.  We are weak in the flesh, no matter how strong we may be, but can be strong by living through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Verse five adds, Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?  We are to examine ourselves first to prove our faith.  Paul tells the Corinthians that as followers of Christ that Jesus lives in them, through the Holy Spirit.  If Christ is not in us, then Paul says we are a reprobate, simply claiming to be Christians when we are not.  Verse six continues, But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.  Paul made this statement because he knew that Christ was in him.  He lived under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  We should be able to make the same declaration about our lives.