This will be my third visit to you. “Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”
I have warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now, as I do when absent, so that when I come I may not be harsh in my use of authority.
“This is the third time I am coming to you.” “Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”
On my return, I will not spare anyone,
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, but will live with him by God’s power toward you.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith; test yourselves.
Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test!
I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have passed the test, but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong. And this also we pray for: your perfection.
Therefore I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the saints greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
This is the Patristics text that appears when you select Patristics.
