The Test

 II 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! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 

In his previous letter and on his previous visit Paul had spoken very boldly against the sins prevalent in this church. So much so that he was considered by some to be a bully.  But Paul was not trying to bully anyone into doing or not doing anything. He simply did not want to fail to do what he had been called to do: tell the truth.  So, as he wraps up his letter, he calls upon them to do some self-examination as to how they were living out their faith.  It was a test for them and for him. Had he conveyed the truth of the gospel in a clear manner, backed by example, humility, and love? He hoped so. Had they received the truth or had they rejected it? Only time would tell. And that time was coming soon when he would return. Time will tell for us as well, when Christ returns.