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| 1 This third time, am I coming unto you:–at the mouth of two witnesses, or three, shall every matter be established. |
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| 2 I have said beforehand, and do say beforehand,–as present the second time, although now absent, unto them who before sinned, and unto all the rest,–that, if I come again, I will not spare. |
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| 3 Since, a test, ye are seeking, of the speaking in me of Christ;–who, unto you, is not weak, but is powerful in you,– |
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| 4 For, although he was crucified through weakness, yet is he living through God's power,–for, although, we, are weak in him, yet shall we live with him, through God's power [unto us]– |
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 Be trying, yourselves, whether ye are in the faith, be putting, yourselves, to the test! Or do ye not recognise yourselves, seeing that, Jesus Christ, is in you,–unless perhaps ye fail in the testing. |
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 I hope, however, that ye shall come to know, that, we, fail not in the testing! |
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| 7 But we pray unto God, that ye may do nothing base,–not that, we, may appear, accepted, but that, ye, the honourable thing, may be doing, even though, we, should be, as it were, rejected; |
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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 rejoice–whensoever, we, are weak, and, ye, are, strong. This, also we pray for–your restoration:– |
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| 10 For this cause, these things, while absent, am I writing, that I may not, when present, deal sharply–according to the authority which, the Lord, hath given me, for building up and not for pulling down. |
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| 11 Finally, brethren, farewell! Be getting restored, be taking encouragement, be of one mind, live in peace,–and, the God of love and peace, will 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 Salute ye one another with a holy kiss.
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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 favour of our Lord Jesus [Christ], and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. |
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