哥林多后书第13章：在困境中正面刚强

 
GK611晨祷生命读经
23/09/2025
主讲: 陈炎明牧师


引言：约瑟的故事···

一、表面软弱实为刚强（13:1-4）

保罗第三次预告要到访哥林多的教会，不再容忍罪。这是说到背后属灵权柄的根基，因为神定意把他放在使徒的位份上。原先是以为父的心态去安慰和呵护那些悔改的人，但后来却显出了将要管教那些不悔改者的权柄。正如基督被钉十字架虽显软弱，却因神的大能复活，成为大有能力的主。

教会要尊重属灵权柄，因为背后是基督的托付。不要轻看领袖表面的软弱，神的大能常在软弱中显得完全。另一方面我们个人也要学习在软弱中依靠基督。

二、人要懂得自我省察（13:5-7）

人总要自己省察，有信心没有？信仰需要内在真实，不只是外在形式。真正的考验是：基督是否住在我们里面。保罗宁愿自己被看轻，也愿哥林多信徒行在正路上。

我们要常常自问：我的信仰是否真实？我是否仍与基督同行？不要只检验别人，要先检验自己。教会的兴旺不在于领袖的光鲜，而在于会众是否扎根在基督。

三、在教会中彼此建造（13:8-14）

1.要与真理同站（V8）
基督徒行事为人的大原则是凡事依从真理、维护真理、活出真理，否则就是抵挡真理，结果必是败坏。

2.要作完全的人（V9）
领袖的谦卑往往被当成是软弱，这正是牧养者的爱——保罗宁愿自己受亏损、显得软弱，也愿信徒得刚强，生命走向成熟完全。这正显出基督式的牺牲与关怀。

3.要造就悔改者（V10）
保罗的使徒权柄源自主，其最终目的不是毁坏，而是建造教会。 他宁愿先用书信警告，让人悔改，好使面对面时能以温和代替严厉，彰显出权柄与爱的平衡。

4.要领受真喜乐（V11-14）
保罗的权柄是“为造就人，不是为拆毁人”。信徒要追求五个生活的方向：喜乐、完全、受安慰、同心、彼此和睦。最后带出三一神的祝福：主耶稣的恩惠、神的慈爱、圣灵的感动。

属灵的带领必须以建造为目的，而非控制或拆毁。教会若要经历神同在，必须活出合一与彼此接纳。我们有时也会在聚会结束时，祝福大家带着三一神的同在走出去。

结论：面面具全的生命
面对罪，要刚强处理而不姑息！
对自己，要常常省察，查验基督是否在心里？
对教会，要彼此建造，在神的祝福中同行。



    


2 Corinthians 13: Being Strong and Positive in Adversity 
GK611 Morning Devotion
23/09/2025
Speaker: Rev David Tan


 Introduction：The Story of Joseph…

I. Weak in Appearance but Truly Strong (13:1–4) 

Paul announced for the third time that he would visit the church in Corinth and that he would no longer tolerate sin. This reveals the foundation of spiritual authority, for God had appointed him to the office of an apostle. At first, he approached with a father’s heart, to comfort and nurture those who repented; but later, he also demonstrated the authority to discipline those who refused to repent. Just as Christ was crucified in apparent weakness, yet was raised by God’s power, becoming the mighty Lord.

The church must respect spiritual authority, for it rests upon Christ's commission. Do not despise a leader’s outward weakness, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness. On the other hand, each of us must also learn to rely on Christ in our own weakness.

II. Self-Examination is Essential (13:5-7) 

Each person must examine themselves: Do they have faith? Faith requires inner authenticity, not merely outward form. The true test is whether Christ dwells within us. Paul preferred to be regarded as insignificant himself, provided the Corinthians walked in the right path.

We must constantly ask ourselves: Is my faith genuine? Am I still walking with Christ? Do not merely scrutinise others; examine yourself first. The church's vitality does not depend on the leader's prominence, but on whether the congregation is rooted in Christ.

III. Building One Another Up in the Church (13:8–14) 

1.Stand with the Truth (v8)
The great principle of the Christian life is to always follow, uphold, and live out the truth. Otherwise, one is resisting the truth, and the outcome will surely be ruin.

2.Strive for completeness (v9)
A leader’s humility is often mistaken for weakness. Yet this is precisely the love of a shepherd—Paul was willing to suffer loss and appear weak, if only the believers could become strong, mature, and complete. This reflects Christlike sacrifice and care.

3.To Build Up the Repentant (v10)
Paul's apostolic authority comes from the Lord, and its ultimate purpose is not to destroy but to build up the church. He preferred to warn through letters first, allowing people to repent, so that when meeting face-to-face, he could respond with gentleness rather than severity, demonstrating the balance between authority and love.

4.To Receive True Joy (v11–14)
Paul’s authority was “for building up, not for tearing down.” Believers are to pursue five directions in life: joy, maturity, comfort, unity, and peace with one another. Finally, Paul imparted the blessing of the Triune God: the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual leadership must always aim to build, not to control or tear down. If the church desires to experience God’s presence, it must live out unity and mutual acceptance. Sometimes, at the close of our gatherings, we also bless one another to go forth with the presence of the Triune God.

Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Life

Toward sin: deal with it firmly, never tolerate it!
Toward oneself: examine often—Is Christ truly in me?
Toward the church: build one another up, walking together in God’s blessing.