our prayer is that you may be fully restored

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

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. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored (perfection). This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And so he calls them to put things right before he come, so that when he does he may not have to call them to order with harsh discipline.

After last-Minute instructions and farewell, Paul closes with the lovely words of 'the grace'

Why?

Paul still encourages the Corinthians church,  Examine yourselves to see whether they are in the faith. Do you realize that Christ Jesus is in you? So am I.

Even we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. The Lord hopes we could be fully perfect. 

The authority the Lord gives me for building others, and not for tearing others down.

Bear in mind that I am the servant of the Lord to witness the love of the Lord and truth of the Lord is living in me.

How?

I can not do everything right, but rely on the Lord to be fully restored in God's grace!