Paul’s closing charge is often misunderstood. In this passage, “examine yourself” is not a call to anxious introspection but a corrective to a church testing Paul while overlooking the evidence of Christ at work among them. Paul redirects attention from his credentials to their shared life in Christ, using his authority to build them up and aiming for restoration, unity, and peace.

In 2 Corinthians 6:1–12, Paul urges his readers not to receive the grace of God in vain. Though many in Corinth claimed to believe the gospel, their rejection of Paul revealed a lack of faith. In this episode, Krisan Marotta explains why responding to grace involves more than religious affiliation or claims of belief.

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta examines how the Apostle Paul defends his ministry against critics who judge him by outward appearance rather than by the message he proclaims. Paul insists that true transformation comes from God’s work in the heart, not from impressive credentials or presentation. Through this passage, Paul calls the Corinthians—and us—to see others through the lens of the gospel, not worldly standards.