12 Examine Yourselves: 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Part 1)

Should our assurance of salvation depend on examining our works and spiritual life?
www.faithalone.org

[@josephmeade9595]

Wow I needed to hear this take. I am so thankful that God’s Grace has saved a sinner like me.

[@easttexan2933]

it is simply amazing to me how a Dr of theology can come up with all kinds of explanations about to make christians not understand the plain teaching in this context. Paul, says he when he comes to them again he will mourn (bewail) over those who have sinned and not repented of the sins of uncleanness (homosexuality), fornication and lasciviousness (excess or lack of sexual restraint) which they have committed. Then he tells the brethren in verse 5 to examine themselves whether ye are in the faith; prove yourselves because believers that profess Jesus Christ living in them don't act this way. That's the message of verse 5.

[@davidkarr5119]

Yes it is sad that so many people keep twisting God's word to fit their life style, they need to take God's God at exactly what it says. Jesus says we have Eternal life by believing in him only.

[@craigs4530]

Amen Brother! Excellent exegesis. Its good to hear someone who knows what they are talking about.

[@steenystuff1075]

Indeed, it is! Praise God!

[@GeniusJewels]

Amen.

[@chamchudangmei9665]

Its da most blessing n joyful bible verse

[@JLimma]

Very true! Today I am going to share this message in our fellowship.

[@sarahawkins1917]

In my interpretation. When he says examine yourselves it doesn't mean to see if you're saved or to examine your works. It means to examine yourselves to see if there's any wicked way in you that you need to take to God to straighten out to make you whole. The bible says, "Search me o god and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me to the way ever lasting. If we just say oh, I'm saved and never examine our thoughts or our deeds, Then we can go astray. Like a little sheep.

[@ShanandHailey]

Thank you so much !!

[@TheKeesBoerMinistryChannel]

What a great video

[@jewishbride5010]

In agreement with this whole message I loosen the word of 2 corinthians 13:5, 2 corinthians 6:14, matthew 6:24 binding one will test oneself to be in the faith of God almigthy in my life, the lives of my family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, acquintances, opponents and the body of Christ while binding every reprobate spirit to hell and being loosened from my life, while I bind myself and the body of Christ not being unequally yoked with and have any common share with an unbeliever serving satan or a reprobate, loosening all that does not have Christ inside from my life upon no return in my life, in the name and blood of Jesus Christ, amen and hallelujah!

[@cesarrios5768]

nicely put WOW to that and amen!

[@g.alistar7798]

Hmmm, when you see a man who thinks he has no sins.....ask his wife.

[@kpuckett57]

Right

[@j.taylor3670]

I have been carrying the world on my shoulders since coming to belief because I have been taught by Sproul, MacArthur, et al...they are as Jesus said putting burdens on people and not lifting one finger to help them carry them and they lived and live privileged lives with world travel and tennis courts and when I scraped my pitiful earnings to go to a Ligonier Conference in 2008, they and all their "disciples" were so rude to me the whole weekend that it was utterly breathtaking! By their fruits.....

[@jacksonrelaxin3425]

Jesus did speak against sects. Works salvationists tend to cut people off so as to purify themselves, ironically going toward actions of a cult.

[@KeepMeLord05]

Your story is by no means unique it sadly happens over and over again. It kinda helped me to put things in the correct order. Now Jesus is my first go-to in life trusting and learning about Him personally has made me stronger. When ministers climb to the top something happens to their sense of importance and the way they carry themselves is partly because we put them on a pedestal. Now It makes me shiver when I hear someone call minister's mighty people of God

[@graftme3168]

​@@KeepMeLord05I know! I shutter when they call THEMSELVES men of God, as if the rest of us are less than they are.

[@graftme3168]

Some people seem to be sure that they are sinless and therefore proves they are saved. Oh yeah! The Pharisees were of the same mind.

[@Fitandover40]

AND the letters of Paul are addressed to the READER, he is saying YOURSELF WHO PREACH, ARE YOU...? DOING ALL THAT YOU TEACH? OR WHAT YOU JUDGE OTHERS FOR? EACH ONE OF US!

[@NewCreationInChrist896]

Test means test, are you representing Christ or the world. Romans 12:2

[@darrelhicks9034]

2 peter 1:20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation . ( James 2:17) Even so faith , if it hath not works , is dead , being alone . ( Philippians 2:12) Wherefore , my beloved , as ye have always obeyed , not as in my presence only, but now much more in by absence , work out your own salvation with fear and trembling . ( James 2 :22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works , and by works was faith made perfect? Mattew 5 :48) Be ye therefore perfect , even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect . ( Colossians 1:28) Whom we preach , warning every man , and teaching every man in all wisdom: that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

[@ay613]

Private intepretation is without God's involvement. And if it is works involved then it contradicts ephesians 2 8 9.

[@livingwater7580]

I love how work salvationist always go to the same misused scriptures to prove you need to work for your salvation, it's funny how they will not believe ANY CLEAR SALVATION PASSAGES THAT CLEARLY SAY "TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT BUT BELIEVES". HERE IS JESUS CLEARLY SAYING HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME HATH EVERLASTING LIFE BUT NOOOOOOOOO THEY WILL BRING YOU TO ANOTHER PASSAGE LIKE JAMES 2 WHICH THEY CANT COMPREHEND AS A DESCIPLING EPISTLE AND NOT A SALVIFIC EPISTLE, OR THE FAMOUS "WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING" AND IGNORING THE NEXT VERSE AND WHAT ITS NOT SAYING, ITS NOT SAYING WORK FOR YOUR OWN SALVATION. the problem isn't the verses but that they have not believed the saving message

[@g.alistar7798]

You might try reading Zane Hodges or Lewis Chafer’s Systematic Theology. Both great men of God, like Bob Wilkins who explain all these passages, and many more.

[@austindivine9960]

Where is part 2?

[@MainPointMinistries]

I think the reason this man laughed at the idea of Paul suggesting that the Corinthians examine themselves, is due to the fact that sometimes in life it's easier to laugh than cry, particularly when the pain of facing the truth of our errors and mistakes is so great. I'm sorry but I don't think that his interpretation of the text is true. We must remember that 2 Corinthians in its original form is a letter, not a book, so there were no chapter and verse breaks present when it was written and delivered. Therefore the context of 13:1-5 actually begins in Chapter 12 , and the reason he wants them to examine themselves is due to their rampant unrepentant sin. See for yourself below: ("For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced." II Corinthians 12:20‭-‬21 NKJV "This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare- since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives 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. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified." II Corinthians 13:1‭-‬6 NKJV ) To begin to speak about salvation by faith throughout this video is a separate "red herring" argument that has nothing to do with Paul's point in 2 Corinthians 13. Now 2 Corinthians 13 does call into question our long standing theological belief if "Once Saved Always Saved", which is why I believe the man in the video spoke so passionately about that subject throughout, and began using ancient Greek words in order to further attempt to prove his point. Sadly and compassionatly, sometimes it's easier to tell people what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear

[@jaredontv]

wheres part 2?

[@cynthiarymer8128]

Where can I go to see recent lessons from Bob.

[@bobvadney7240]

Do ya suppose Paul was asking them...are u walking the talk...are u behaving in accordance to what ya claim to ...believe???... which would make sense b/c this church @ Corinth..was in pretty bad shape...spirtually....& as carnal Christians they would question Paul,s Apostleship...hmmmm...just some thots.. boy I love this guy..Mr Wilkins...especially when he explained that the lostness of man is not a sin problem but a Son problem...Jn1:29... that did soooo much for me...

[@jacobusstefanuspotgieter1332]

So Dr Bob what would you say if a believer goes through his whole life and doesn't bear good fruit? Did Jesus not Himself say. If you love me you will "keep my commandments". When we look at the Hebrew word for faith Emunah there always action following out of a persons faith. Abraham believed God and its was accounted to him as righteousness but when Abraham always believed God his actions reflected what he believed in his heart. Demons also believe in God and they fear him but their actions reflect that they are traitors. If we believe what our heavenly FATHER SAYS we will be FAITHFULL and not walk as traitors to the cross. A true believer is FAITHFULL since there is FAITH in his heart that show what they believe. IF we believe that our Elohim is real and His words are true we will love HIM and real love for our FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT will cause us to WALK LIKE HE (YAHSHUA) DID. YAHSHUA (Jesus) cursed the tree that did bear fruit..... Go read the books of James and 1 John. These books were written to counter this believe only heresy.......

[@frame3139]

Do you sin? Do you love perfectly? Study your Bible, and if so how much is enough? fast, pray, and on and on and on I could go. Free grace gives me a desire to please God outa gratitude and love, all that other garbage induces fear and depression cause no one can measure up or obey perfectly. God bless you in your sinless walk

[@jacobusstefanuspotgieter1332]

@@frame3139Good day Frame 313. I didn't say anything about being sinless. The book of James and John says that if we claim we have faith we will walk in obedience more and more. Peter says we must grow in our faith. 1 John 1 talks about us confessing our sin knowing that people do stumble. However if santification is not evident in a believer's life then there is something wrong. There are many so called paradoxes in scripture. However if we read scripture in context these paradoxes disappear. Works alone will not save us. And a faith with no fruit is also dead. We are saved by grace through faith. If faith doesn't bear fruit for a whole lifetime then there is most likely no faith. Yahshua(Jesus) tested the rich young ruler and challenged him to sell his belongings. He didn't cause he loved his money. You see He failed to rest all of his faith in God and failed to believe that God will take care of him. The Bible does not tell us if he eventually believed. I guess we both have to study the scriptures. Is it not strange that the young rich man also became sad after he got this teaching. Read the whole 1 Peter 1 look at verse 22. Those who say they believe but refuse to turn from sin doesn't have faith.....

[@livinggodlyministries7688]

@@frame3139 perfect answer by someone that wants to stay in his sin or wants an excuse to continue sinning

[@razzendahcuben]

@@livinggodlyministries7688 And what is your excuse when it is pointed out that you sin every single day?

[@lasselarsen6704]

I believe Jesus Christ is god in flesh son of god the perfekt Lamb of god and only by Grace alone faith alone Christ alone that god promiss that if i believe who Jesus Christ is and what he did on the cross for me that he paid for All my sins and he rose again at the third Day and salvation is free gift of god that if i believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross paid for All my sins and only him alone for my salvation everlasting life im am safe born again child of god and i can not lose my salvation i deserve Hell but god love people but hate sin so he sent his only son Jesus Christ to paid for All the sins of the World IT is finish IT is done and i believe that promiss of god the father that Jesus Christ alone did IT All for me to go to heaven forever and i believe that so why do i still have doubt in my heart doubt in my brain i fear that im going to Hell forever and im sick of IT i never. Have assurance of my eternal place. Im scare. No peace i hate my life i hate sin i hate almost everything cuz i have No peace

[@sandragambrel9721]

Have you cast out that spirit/demon of fear yet? Are you walking in God's peace yet? I pray you have. I hope this comment finds you, amen.

[@samuelfigueroa6506]

ok professor what does the word disqualified in the Greek mean? since you totally skipped that part of the verse. I will wait for you answer.

[@frame3139]

Zip it Calvinist

[@samuelfigueroa6506]

@@frame3139 i'm so sorry that you think i'm a calvinist. I'm really sorry if i upset you with my answer, however I just think that if we stop at part A of the verse and we don't look at part B of the verse we miss the fullness of the message. unfortunately everyone that thinks that you can't loose your salvation stop and explain only part A of that verse and never address part B of that verse which I believe is the most important part of that verse. Again I'm sorry if I upset you.

[@marylamb6063]

This passage is totally misinterpreted. Paul was dealing with people who doubted his authenticity as an apostle. He was just saying that if he was not a true apostle, then they were not his true children. There is a parenthetical element I'll remove and a word order that must be corrected. 2 Cor 13 This is the third time I am coming to you....since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. (.....parenthetical element) 5 Yourselves examine to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. "Yourselves examine" puts the object ahead of the subject. In Greek, it means that Paul is focusing on "them," not any examining. In English, Paul is saying to the Corinthians that they were the proof of his authenticity and thus there was no need of him to prove anything. It's important that we don't pull out verses out of context.

[@samfigueroa7170]

Why are you so angry?????

[@will195]

I agree with Don terrible exegesis let’s not forget that prior to verse five when we uphold context and we look at context in 2 Corinthians 12:21 KJVS [21] And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. Paul is talking about them having no remorse and no repentance toward Sin. So like I said bad exegesis of this passage sorry completely wrong but this is what easy believe in free grace believers do they tried to twist scripture to fit their Doctrine and for some it’s their lifestyle. Let’s not also forget in this passage KJV uses the word reprobate ? 😳

[@jimkraft9445]

Repentance for salvation is the Greek word metanoeo, which means to change your mind from trusting in what we do to save us, to trusting in what Jesus did to save us. The Gospel. That Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. Once we believe we are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30. Born of the Spirit of God. Given eternal life. We can no longer be condemned. John 3:18, We have passed from death unto life. John 5:24. We can grieve the Holy Spirit through sin, and get out of fellowship with our heavenly Father, but never our relationship which is sealed in heaven. Hebrews 13:5 He will never leave us or forsake us. John 6:37 He will never cast us out. John 6:39 Jesus has never lost one. All of our sins are paid in full by Jesus finished work on the cross forever. That is why we have eternal life.

[@jimkraft9445]

There was a man in First Corinthians who was sleeping with his fathers wife. Paul said it was so bad that even the unbelievers were talking about it. So Paul told them to bar him from fellowship in the church and to turn such a one over to Satan to kill his flesh, so that His spirit would be saved in the day of the Lord. First Corinthians 5:5. There are sins unto death, but we can not lose our salvation because all of our sins have been paid for. But God does take some early because they live in sin continually. They are still saved, but lose their life and their rewards in heaven that they could have had if they had lived right. We are not saved by living right, but if we are saved, we should live right. God does chasten His children. But we can not lose our salvation. We have been bought and paid for. God is going to get what He paid for. Some will be saved so as by fire.

[@livingwater7580]

reprobates are unbelievers not saved sinners, a reprobate cannot REPENT

[@livingwater7580]

Don whats hard believism? WORKS!!!

[@livingwater7580]

if you believe in the gospel you are saved is that hard or easy, if its hard we have to remove the gospel of John and all the epistles of Paul because if its not simple then theres more we have to DO (WORKS) but salvation is not of works so please explain easy believism,

[@2Chronicles714_]

Test yourself to see if you are a real Christian. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" If a work of God does not continue than its not a work of God. If you fall short of the test repent and believe. Cry out to God for mercy until a work is done To test yourself to see if you're a real Christian read 1John. 1John 3:3-10 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 4Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all 6If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. What does it mean to walk in darkness? A style of life.If we say we are a Christian and our lifestyle contradicts everything God has told us about Himself and His will we are a liar. If our lifestyle contradicts God's character then claiming to be a Christian is a lie. Not talking about unscriptual sinless perfection. Even a very mature Christian is susceptible to sin. Someone that has truly been born again will be sensitive to sin and they will be led to repentance and confession to that sin. 1 John 1:8-10 IF we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 IF we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 IF we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. When was the last time you were broken over a sin? If you are sensitive to sin, it will lead you to confession.

[@samfigueroa7170]

That has got to be the worst (and I have heard a few bad ones) explanation on that verse that I have ever heard wow

[@DonDraperism]

This is terrible exegesis. Wow.

[@matthewcurley6198]

So Don insults and provides no counter evidence to suggest a different meaning.. sounds like a terrible comment

[@livingwater7580]

Paul is defending his apotleship all scholars agree this is a simple to understand passage,

[@48lilyofthevalley]

DonDraperism, Here is another full lecture on the passage by one of the best hermeneutics experts out there. He sticks to the Bible and context closely. This is not his opinion. Andy Woods - Doesn't 2 Cor 13:5 Say We Need to Examine Ourselves to See if We Are Saved? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXqch5idbrxmmbs

[@bradwebb7955]

@@48lilyofthevalley Thanks for sharing the link-kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXqch5idbrxmmbs. Very insightful and encouraging!

[@meld1343]

@@48lilyofthevalley Thank you so much for that link! Very informative. Seems like the Calvinist Reformed camp adheres to the impression that "examine yourselves' is a constant and daily ritual for the Christian life. No. That is works based.