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| 1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. |
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| 2 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: |
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| 3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. |
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| 4 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. |
By the power of God – "Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father." God "raised up Jesus from the dead." "God hath raised up the Lord." (Rom. 6:4; 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14) R2037:5
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| 5 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? |
Examine yourselves – "Try your own selves"--look at your present condition as compared with your past. R1516:2*, 1516:3*
For the "witness" of chiselings polishings, prunings, disciplines, chastisements. E232
Whether I am something or nothing in God's estimation is to be measured by my love for him, his brethren, his cause, the world in general, and even my enemies, rather than my knowledge. R4917:6
In the faith – "The faith" is much more than belief, confidence, or trust. It involves much more than acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice as the at-one-ment. It also involves having Jesus' sacrificing spirit. R759:2*
Trials of faith can come when subtle errors are presented as advanced truth. R3104:2
Christ is in you – No real child of God is devoid of this evidence of his adoption. R3251:5
Be ye reprobates – No longer acceptable to God. R3251:4
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| 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. |
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| 7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. |
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| 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. |
Against the truth – Our consciences will not permit us to compromise where principles are involved, though we should gladly be the readiest of all to compromise where principle is not involved. R4022:5
Whoever intelligently, willfully, heartily does anything against the truth is in serious danger. R3894:3
Some of the Lord's people are not as particular as they should be in estimating the weight of their influence and in determining they will do nothing against the truth. R3667:1
Not a finger dare we move, not a whisper utter, injurious to members of the Body of Christ. R3052:4
But for the truth – Every effort must be for the truth. R4076:6
Do all in their power for the truth--for righteousness. R3667:1
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| 9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
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| 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. |
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| 11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. |
Be of one mind – This is the oneness of thought, mind and action required of the Church of God. R1130:6*
Live in peace – The comfort and peace of the Church are dependent largely upon unity of the Spirit of the Lord in the various members. R3436:5
Among yourselves--we should strive to be at peace with all who love the Lord. R2251:1
"Be at peace among yourselves." "Lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." "Follow after the things which make for peace." (1 Thes. 5:13; 1 Tim. 2:2; Rom. 14:19) 2946:6
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| 12 Greet one another with an holy kiss. |
An holy kiss – The Eastern custom of males kissing males. R4238:2
There would be nothing wrong in a kiss of love, but there is no intimation that the brethren should kiss the sisters or the sisters kiss the brethren. Q618:5
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| 13 All the saints salute you. |
Saints – The word "saint" is used to designate the truly consecrated. R1139:1
Salute you – The churches were prompt to send Christian greetings. R1895:4
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| 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. |
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