2 Corinthians 4:13-14 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
That faith is one of the key ideas in Paul’s mind throughout this letter becomes evident in this verse. Paul wants the Corinthians to have “the same spirit of faith.” This is the type of faith that sees resurrection power at work through suffering. Paul writes this letter out of faith. He has preached the gospel out of faith. Verse 13 shows his deep conviction. We need this conviction to sustain us through suffering. Without the conviction of faith, when we face suffering, we will be tempted to take the easier route. This route may include forsaking the gospel of Christ, thus rejecting God’s grace and salvation. Strong faith is the sure source for standing up to the pressure of suffering and persecution.
This faith is resourced by the very power of God that raised Jesus from the dead. This comes in “knowing.” This marks the conviction we should seek to have and develop. Knowledge supports conviction. Conviction is the recall of deep tenets of faith that influence the decisions we make. Paul’s faith was strengthened by his conviction that Jesus was real and that he rose from the dead, just as Scripture prophesied and the early church preached (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). Paul believed that death is not final. Our resurrection hope is based on the historical fact of Jesus’ own resurrection. Because Jesus rose again, we are guaranteed of resurrection.
These are all things the Corinthians should know and remember. Paul’s goal is to see the Corinthians make it through their own journeys and experience this resurrection when Jesus comes again. The goal is for the Corinthians not to forsake the gospel in their own suffering. They must know the truth of the gospel and not be fooled by any lesser version.
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