2 Corinthians — Chapter 13
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1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
2I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
3Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
4For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
6But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
10Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
11Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
12Greet one another with an holy kiss.
13All the saints salute you.
14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
1This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established.
2I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
3seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:
4for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.
5Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.
6But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.
7Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate.
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.
10For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
11Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
12Salute one another with a holy kiss.
13All the saints salute you.
14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
1This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established.
2I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,
3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.
4For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you.
5Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, indeed, you fail the test!
6And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test!
7Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but so that you may do what is right even if we may appear to have failed the test.
8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.
9For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified.
10Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority—the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!
11Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
14[This verse is not included in the NET; see KJV/ASV for the traditional rendering.]
1This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
2I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
3seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.
4For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.
5Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
6But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified.
7Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.
10For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.
11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13All the saints greet you.
14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
Summary
Paul warns he will not spare the disobedient on his third visit, urges self-examination ("Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith"), and closes with the Trinitarian benediction: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all."
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the warning, self-examination, the prayer for perfection, and the Trinitarian benediction.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Examine Yourselves" on v.5 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 671) "Examine yourselves — not your neighbor, not your pastor, not your church — yourselves. Are YOU in the faith? Is Christ in YOU? Don't assume. Don't coast on past experience. Examine. Prove. Know. The unexamined faith may not be faith at all." Sermon: "The Trinitarian Blessing" on v.14 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1399) "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ — grace from the Son who became poor for you. The love of God — love from the Father who gave His Son. The communion of the Holy Ghost — fellowship with the Spirit who dwells in you. Three persons. Three gifts. One God. One blessing."
Videos
The Bible Project — 2 Corinthians Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" (v.5). When did you last seriously examine your faith? Not assume it — examine it. Is Christ in you? Is there evidence of genuine spiritual life? Don't coast on past decisions — examine present reality.
- 2. "We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth" (v.8). Truth is unstoppable. You can fight it, deny it, suppress it — but you cannot defeat it. Are you on the side of truth or fighting against it?
- 3. "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace" (v.11). Five final commands: be complete, be encouraged, be unified, live peacefully. Which of these does your community most need right now?
- 4. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost" (v.14). Three gifts from three persons: grace, love, fellowship. Which do you most need to experience today?
- 5. Paul says "examine yourselves" (v.5) — not "examine your pastor" or "examine your church." Self-examination is the priority. What evidence of genuine faith do you see in your life? What concerns you?
- 6. "Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you?" (v.5). The normal Christian experience: Christ IN you. Do you have assurance of salvation? What gives you confidence that Christ is in you?
- 7. Paul's final commands (v.11) include "be of one mind" and "live in peace." Unity and peace are not optional extras — they are commands. Where is there disunity or conflict in your relationships that needs to be addressed?
- 8. The Trinitarian benediction (v.14) is the most common blessing used in churches today. Do you receive it as a genuine prayer or as a ritual closing? What would it mean to truly experience grace, love, and fellowship from the Trinity?
- 9. 2 Corinthians ends where it began — with grace (1:2, 13:14). The letter is bookended by grace. How has grace been the theme of your life this year? Where do you need more grace?