What does 2 Corinthians 13:10 mean?
Before turning to his closing words, Paul sums up the purpose for this letter to the church in Corinth. He has written everything for their good and to build them up, not to tear them down. More urgently, he seeks to convince them to repent of sin before he arrives. That way, he will not need to be severe in judging and disciplining those who remain unrepentant of ongoing sinful choices (2 Corinthians 12:19—13:2).Despite charges against him by false apostles and other critics, Paul asserts once more that he is a true apostle, given valid authority to act on Christ's behalf when he is with them. He warned that, acting on this authority, he will spare no one who is still following sinful ways when he arrives (2 Corinthians 13:2). They will see that, in Christ, Paul can be as strident as necessary to hold them accountable for betraying their devotion to Christ. This, as well, is meant for their good. Even if severe discipline is required, Paul makes clear his purpose will not be to dole out ruin and misery. As God does for all who are in Christ, Paul will only act to benefit them, even if that requires some temporary pain.
It's also very clear that Paul does not want a severe confrontation with the believers of Corinth. It's not something he wants to be forced into. He truly hopes that all will repent so their time together can be pleasant for everyone.
Second Corinthians 13:1–10 contains Paul's final warning to the Corinthians: repent from sin before he arrives to visit them. None will be spared from Christ's discipline if they remain unrepentant. They will see that Christ speaks through Paul when he executes Christ's powerful discipline among them. He urges them to examine themselves to see if Christ is in them and he prays for their restoration. Paul knows he has God-given authority to represent Christ among them, but he hopes he will not have to do so in a severe way when he arrives.
The final chapter of Paul's letter begins with a harsh warning. Nobody living in unrepentant sin when Paul arrives will be spared Paul's discipline. All will learn that Christ speaks through Paul—because Christ will deal powerfully with their sinfulness despite Paul's own weakness. Paul urges them to examine themselves and verify that Christ is in them and, by extension, that he is a true apostle. He prays for their restoration and hopes they will repent of all sin before he arrives so that he will not have to be severe in the use of his authority.
