All parents know how hard it is to discipline their children. There are many parenting books written giving valuable parenting tips on how “not to spare the rod and spoil the child” (Proverbs 13:24). These “children experts” will tell you that a child should be given sufficient warning for misbehaviour and that punishment must be meted as spoken; otherwise the child will not learn. Children must be taught that there are unpleasant consequences for disobedience. “Tough love” with children has to be practised for genuine love to be in operation between parents and children.

The Apostle Paul forewarned the Corinthian Christians in the same way. He had made earlier warnings when he visited them previously and now before his third visit, he has written a stern letter to prepare them ahead of time. He is giving them ample opportunity to self-correct. The Message puts it this way – “Give yourself regular check-ups. If you fail the test, do something about it.”

Medical check-ups are important for those growing old. In the natural ageing process, parts of the human body may start to fail and it becomes vulnerable to the ravages of diseases, toxins in the atmosphere and in the food. Check-ups may help to early detect dangerous health failures. In the same light, Paul told the Christians to examine themselves, scrutinise and assess whether their faith is still healthy and vigorously strong. If there are defects or whatever is amiss, they must act to speedily remedy and not allow their spiritual health to deteriorate. Paul’s primary concern is for their “perfection” as his objectives in teaching and admonishing everyone with all wisdom, “so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). Paul will labour and struggle to do this with all the power from God in order to serve the Corinthians Christians.

Paul is straight forward in his warning towards those who indulge and persist in sin. Of course he will be fair and will only condemn when these are confirmed by two or three witnesses as required by Old Testament laws. Having given sufficient notice, he threatened to be severe with the obstinate and the impenitent. Paul must have heard of their sinful behaviour from his co-workers and he now issued a final warning with opportunity for them to repent before his visit. It must be heart-breaking for Paul to have to repeatedly admonish the Christians for their waywardness. Like parents, he scolds, he chides and he rebukes. For Paul, despite the heart-ache, Christian discipline is an essential part of “tough love”.