Paul’s Final Advice

This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established
by the testimony of two or three witnesses”). I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my
second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is
powerful among you. Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just
as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you;
if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have
not failed the test of apostolic authority.

We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our
authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate
our authority. For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. We are glad to seem weak if it helps
show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want
to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.