2 Corinthians 13:1-14 Study Guide: Examine Yourself
Community Group Study Guide — Examine Yourself
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
August 2, 2026
Study Information:
Some of you reading this were the kind of student who got excited about tests. You were probably disappointed when they were graded on a curve and were likely no fun, but that is ok. Just kidding, but for some of us the idea of a test is a great opportunity to see what we know and for others it produces a level of anxiety that is hard to describe. In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul told the Corinthians to examine themselves and test to see if they are “in Christ.” This comes at the end of the letter with a promise that he was planning a return trip to visit them and check in on how they responded to his warnings and instructions. Some Christians can struggle with the idea of assurance of salvation and wonder if we have somehow sinned our way out of a relationship with God. This command to examine and test is not a command for anxiety or constant introspection, rather Paul commanded Christians to reflect on how they’re following Christ and to respond to areas of repentance and growth so we can be consistent with our identity of being “in Christ.”
Test Yourselves
2 Corinthians 13:5, 14
The words for examine and test indicate that God desires for us to look for evidence of the new life that is in us in Christ. “Examine” is a word that highlights if something is authentic and “test” carries the idea of proving through a trial. Specifically, we are to see if we are “in the faith” or “in Christ” which is the doctrine of Union with Christ. This doctrine speaks to how, in our salvation, God gives us more than a blank slate or a debt paid. Salvation includes being united to the very life of Christ. The mystery of the gospel is that we are reconciled and brought into such a relationship with God that we are counted as “in Christ” and “Christ is in us, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).” Paul’s parting words in 2 Corinthians brilliantly depict this hope in his description of the Trinity’s involvement in our salvation. Paul’s benediction pointed to the love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. These trinitarian statements are not accidental, instead they show us the depth and breadth of God’s salvation. Grace pointing to how salvation cannot be earned or deserved, love highlighting the steadfast faithfulness of God to us and fellowship as the invitation to warmth and relationship in God from the Spirit. Paul’s command to test and examine is not meant to keep the Corinthians at a distance, it is meant to give them assurance that God is at work in them.
Response to Sin
2 Corinthians 13:1-4
The first test we see in our text is one’s response to sin. A Christian has a soft heart towards God and desires to put sin to death in their life so they walk consistently with the new life that God has given them. Paul expressed a fear that upon this visit he’d find them stuck in sin. These sins included sexual immorality, impurity, gossip, division, anger and hostility (2 Cor 12:20-21). His goal in warning the Corinthians was to lead them towards a place of repentance and restoration with God. This third visit would include a church meeting where multiple witnesses would be able to speak to the level of sin in the church (2 Cor 13:1). God does not expect perfection, but unrepentant sin can be evidence that one is not in Christ. Likewise, the church considered Paul weak, but he pointed back to Jesus who was “crucified in weakness but lives by the power of God.” This was Paul’s way of saying that he chose humility and gentleness but it was within his authority to remove people from the church, which is likely what he meant by “not sparing them (2 Cor 13:2, 4). This sounds scary! But when you think about it, if someone continues in willful and unrepentant sin are they truly living out the new life God has authored and do they live like they actually need Christ to be their savior?
Sin can be deceptive and we can also be ignorant of sin in our lives, but as followers of Christ become aware of sin in their lives they are soft hearted and repent and try to follow God by his grace. Instead people can often be self deceptive, or shift blame or try to keep God at a distance so they can live as they desire rather than in alignment with the new life we have in Christ. Paul wanted us to test ourselves to see if we have soft or hard hearts to God.
Humility Towards Leaders
2 Corinthians 13:6-10
Throughout 2 Corinthians we have learned about the critics and enemies of Paul who deceived the Corinthians and eroded their trust in God and his word through Paul. They openly “sought proof” that God spoke through Paul (2 Cor 13:3). Likewise, Paul wrote that some may have even doubted if Paul would pass this test (2 Cor 13:6). But notice three things about Paul’s leadership in this passage. First, it was centered on the Corinthians pursuit of what was true and good (2 Cor 13:7). Second, they were content to be weak to make the Corinthians strong (2 Cor 13:9). This included seasons of exhaustion, suffering and opposition so the Corinthians could grow. Finally, their goal was to build up the Corinthians rather than tear them down. This is humble and loving leadership.
The Bible talks about church leadership as a gift from God so that his people can be taken care of and grow in faith (Eph 4:1-3). We can have an inherent suspicion of authority and in reality it is good to “test” whether leaders are genuine, but at the end of the day is your heart humble towards the leaders God has placed in your life? That could be pastors, elders, ministry leaders or mentors you have. Are you willing to hear from them and follow them? They are not infallible or above error, but generally speaking godly leaders are a gift and a Christian will have a humble posture towards mentors and shepherds who guide them.
Belonging in the Church
2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Followers of Jesus do not just attend a church they belong to a church. This church had gone through a lot of division and was in need of genuine reconciliation (2 Cor 12:20). Paul’s prayer was for their restoration which included mended relationships with one another (2 Cor 13:9). That is why Paul did not just end with a “see you later and get your act together!” Instead Paul ended with a picture of love, forgiveness and affection in the church. Paul listed 6 commands for them. First, they were to pursue joy and delight. Second, they were to restore one another, which was urgent given the division and sin in the church. Third, they were to comfort each other which means to let their hearts be encouraged by one another. Fourth, the Corinthians were to agree with each other, which is not a command for sameness but a command to be focused on Jesus. Fifth, there was to be peace in the church. They’ve had a season of conflict they needed to put behind them. Finally, Paul told them to greet each other with a holy kiss. This word or phrase was an invention of Paul’s to highlight brotherly and sisterly affection in the church. The church needs to be a place where sin is forgiven, relationships are restored and warmth and affection are normal.
The test here is how you respond when there is conflict or friction in the Christian community. Do you actively seek to restore one another and live with warmth and affection or do you harbor bitterness and division? Jesus Christ has shown us immeasurable grace and has broken down dividing walls of hostility so that we can be one (Eph 2:14).
Paul’s prayer for this church and indeed his whole letter is to this end, examine yourself to see where Christ is calling you to grow so that you can live out the new life he has authored in you. If you are not in Christ, you may be tempted to feel dejected but instead this is an opportunity to take the knowledge of your self examination and repent and believe in the gospel. God’s grace and love and fellowship is available to you even today.
At your community group:
Take 15-20 minutes to share about how God has been at work in your life, prayer concerns and pray for one another.
How did God speak to you through the scripture and the sermon this week?
Discussion Questions:
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
How can examining your faith help you grow as a Christian? Are there any dangers or areas we should show caution?
Paul discussed three areas of need for the Corinthians around this idea of testing their faith. Paul wrote about sin, relationship towards leaders and reconciliation in the church. How can analyzing these areas of our life help us understand ways we can grow as a Christian?
What are some reasons Paul would end with commands centered around Christian community?
Let’s imagine one scenario from the three areas of testing. Imagine you have a friend who struggled with division and trust with other Christians. They are kind of unaware that they do this, but in a moment of candor they ask you for help with having better relationships in the church. What kind of counsel would you give them based on Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 13:11-14?
