The Warning of Paul's Coming Visit refers to the Apostle Paul's admonition to the Corinthian church regarding his impending visit, as recorded in the New Testament. This warning is primarily found in 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:10, where Paul addresses the issues within the church and expresses his concerns about their spiritual state.

Context and Background

The Corinthian church was established by Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17). Corinth, a major city in ancient Greece, was known for its wealth, commerce, and moral decadence. The church in Corinth faced numerous challenges, including divisions, immorality, and doctrinal confusion. Paul wrote multiple letters to the Corinthians, two of which are preserved in the New Testament, to address these issues and provide guidance.

Paul's Concerns

In 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:10, Paul expresses his intention to visit the Corinthian church for the third time. He is concerned about the ongoing issues within the church and warns them to repent and correct their behavior before his arrival. Paul writes, "Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you" (2 Corinthians 12:14). His desire is not to exploit them but to see their spiritual growth and maturity.

Paul is particularly worried about the presence of sin among the believers. He fears that he may find "quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalries, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder" (2 Corinthians 12:20) when he arrives. He warns that if these issues persist, he will not hesitate to exercise his apostolic authority to discipline those who continue in sin.

A Call to Self-Examination

Paul urges the Corinthians to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith. He writes, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5). This call to self-examination is a crucial aspect of Paul's warning, as he desires the Corinthians to recognize their shortcomings and turn back to righteous living.

Paul's Apostolic Authority

Throughout his letters, Paul defends his apostolic authority, which had been questioned by some within the Corinthian church. In 2 Corinthians 13:2-3, he warns that he will not spare those who have sinned if they do not repent before his visit. He writes, "I already warned those who sinned earlier and all the others, when I was with you the second time. So now I warn you again while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me" (2 Corinthians 13:2-3).

Paul's warning is not merely a threat but a demonstration of his deep love and concern for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian believers. His desire is for their restoration and growth in holiness.

Conclusion

The Warning of Paul's Coming Visit serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-examination, repentance, and adherence to apostolic teaching. It underscores the necessity of maintaining purity and unity within the body of Christ and highlights the role of church leaders in guiding and correcting the flock.