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2 Corinthians 13:1-14 King James Version (KJV)

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1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

2 I 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:

3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

4 For 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.

5 Examine 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?

6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

7 Now 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.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

10 Therefore 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.

11 Finally, 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.

12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

13 All the saints salute you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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1 This G5124 is the third G5154 time I am coming G2064 to G4314 you. G5209 In G1909 the mouth G4750 of two G1417 or G2532 three G5140 witnesses G3144 shall G2476 every G3956 word G4487 be established. G2476

2 I told you before, G4280 and G2532 foretell you, G4302 as if G5613 I were present, G3918 the second G1208 time; and G2532 being absent G548 now G3568 I write G1125 to them which heretofore have sinned, G4258 and G2532 to all G3956 other, G3062 that, G3754 if G1437 I come G2064 again, G1519 G3825 I will G5339 not G3756 spare: G5339

3 Since G1893 ye seek G2212 a proof G1382 of Christ G5547 speaking G2980 in G1722 me, G1698 which G3739 to G1519 you-ward G5209 is G770 not G3756 weak, G770 but G235 is mighty G1414 in G1722 you. G5213

4 For G1063 G2532 though G1487 he was crucified G4717 through G1537 weakness, G769 yet G235 he liveth G2198 by G1537 the power G1411 of God. G2316 For G1063 we G2249 also G2532 are weak G770 in G1722 him, G846 but G235 we shall live G2198 with G4862 him G846 by G1537 the power G1411 of God G2316 toward G1519 you. G5209

5 Examine G3985 yourselves, G1438 whether G1487 ye be G2075 in G1722 the faith; G4102 prove G1381 your own selves. G1438 G2228 Know ye G1921 not G3756 your own selves, G1438 how that G3754 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 is G2076 in G1722 you, G5213 except G1509 ye be G2075 reprobates? G5100 G96

6 But G1161 I trust G1679 that G3754 ye shall know G1097 that G3754 we G2249 are G2070 not G3756 reprobates. G96

7 Now G1161 I pray G2172 to G4314 God G2316 that ye G5209 do G3361 G4160 no G3367 evil; G2556 not G3756 that G2443 we G2249 should appear G5316 approved, G1384 but G235 that G2443 ye G5210 should do G4160 that which is honest, G2570 though G1161 we G2249 be G5600 as G5613 reprobates. G96

8 For G1063 we can do G1410 nothing G3756 G5100 against G2596 the truth, G225 but G235 for G5228 the truth. G225

9 For G1063 we G2249 are glad, G5463 when G3752 we are weak, G770 and G1161 ye G5210 are G5600 strong: G1415 and G1161 this G5124 also G2532 we wish, G2172 even your G5216 perfection. G2676

10 Therefore G5124 G1223 I write G1125 these things G5023 being absent, G548 lest G3363 being present G3918 I should use G5530 sharpness, G664 according G2596 to the power G1849 which G3739 the Lord G2962 hath given G1325 me G3427 to G1519 edification, G3619 and G2532 not G3756 to G1519 destruction. G2506

11 Finally, G3063 brethren, G80 farewell. G5463 Be perfect, G2675 be of good comfort, G3870 be of one G846 mind, G5426 live in peace; G1514 and G2532 the God G2316 of love G26 and G2532 peace G1515 shall be G2071 with G3326 you. G5216

12 Greet G782 one another G240 with G1722 an holy G40 kiss. G5370

13 All G3956 the saints G40 salute G782 you. G5209

14 The grace G5485 of the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 and G2532 the love G26 of God, G2316 and G2532 the communion G2842 of the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 be with G3326 you G5216 all. G3956 Amen. G281

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 American Standard (ASV)

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1 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established.

2 I 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;

3 seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:

4 for 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.

5 Try 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.

6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.

7 Now 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.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9 For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

10 For 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.

11 Finally, 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.

12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints salute you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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1 This third time do I come unto you; on the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every saying be established;

2 I have said before, and I say `it' before, as being present, the second time, and being absent, now, do I write to those having sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare,

3 since a proof ye seek of the Christ speaking in me, who to you is not infirm, but is powerful in you,

4 for even if he was crucified from infirmity, yet he doth live from the power of God; for we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him from the power of God toward you.

5 Your ownselves try ye, if ye are in the faith; your ownselves prove ye; do ye not know your ownselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, if ye be not in some respect disapproved of?

6 and I hope that ye shall know that we -- we are not disapproved of;

7 and I pray before God that ye do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is right, and we may be as disapproved;

8 for we are not able to do anything against the truth, but for the truth;

9 for we rejoice when we may be infirm, and ye may be powerful; and this also we pray for -- your perfection!

10 because of this, these things -- being absent -- I write, that being present, I may not treat `any' sharply, according to the authority that the Lord did give me for building up, and not for casting down.

11 Henceforth, brethren, rejoice; be made perfect, be comforted, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of the love and peace shall be with you;

12 salute one another in an holy kiss;

13 salute you do all the saints;

14 the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, `is' with you all! Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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1 This third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established.

2 I have declared beforehand, and I say beforehand as present the second time, and now absent, to those that have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare.

3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, (who is not weak towards you, but is powerful among you,

4 for if indeed he has been crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power; for indeed *we* are weak in him, but we shall live with him by God's power towards you,)

5 examine your own selves if ye be in the faith; prove your own selves: do ye not recognise yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed ye be reprobates?

6 Now I hope that ye will know that *we* are not reprobates.

7 But we pray to God that ye may do nothing evil; not that *we* may appear approved, but that *ye* may do what is right, and *we* be as reprobates.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9 For we rejoice when *we* may be weak and *ye* may be powerful. But this also we pray for, your perfecting.

10 On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing.

11 For the rest, brethren, rejoice; be perfected; be encouraged; be of one mind; be at peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

12 Salute one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints salute you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, [be] with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 World English Bible (WEB)

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1 This is the third time I am coming to you. "At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word established."

2 I 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;

3 seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.

4 For 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.

5 Test 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.

6 But I hope that you will know that we aren't disqualified.

7 Now 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.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9 For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

10 For 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.

11 Finally, 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.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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1 This is the third time that I am coming to you. From the mouth of two or three witnesses will every word be made certain.

2 I said before, and still say it before I come, as being present for the second time, though I am still away from you, to those who have done wrong before, and to all the others, that if I come again I will not have pity;

3 Seeing that you are looking for a sign of Christ giving out his word in me; who is not feeble in relation to you, but is strong in you:

4 For he was feeble in that he was put to death on the cross, but he is living by the power of God. And we are feeble in him, but we will be living with him through the power of God in relation to you.

5 Make a test of yourselves, if you are in the faith; make certain of yourselves. Or are you not conscious in yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, if you are truly Christ's?

6 But it is my hope that you will have no doubt that we are truly Christ's.

7 Now our prayer to God is that you may do no evil; not in order that it may be put to our credit, but so that you may do what is right, whatever we may seem.

8 Because we are able to do nothing against what is true, but only for it.

9 For we are glad when we are feeble and you are strong: and this is our prayer, even that you may be made complete.

10 For this cause I am writing these things while I am away, so that there may be need for me, when I am present, to make use of sharp measures, by the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for destruction.

11 Let this be my last word, brothers; be glad; be complete; be comforted; be of the same mind; be at peace with one another: and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Give one another a holy kiss.

13 All the saints send their love to you.

14 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the harmony of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 13

In this chapter the apostle threatens to be severe against obstinate sinners, and assigns the reason thereof (v. 1-6); then he makes a suitable prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, with the reasons inducing him thereto (v. 7-10), and concludes his epistle with a valediction and a benediction (v. 11-14).

2Cr 13:1-6

In these verses observe,

  • I. The apostle threatens to be severe against obstinate sinners when he should come to Corinth, having now sent to them a first and second epistle, with proper admonitions and exhortations, in order to reform what was amiss among them. Concerning this we may notice,
    • 1. The caution with which he proceeded in his censures: he was not hasty in using severity, but gave a first and second admonition. So some understand his words (v. 1): This is the third time I am coming to you, referring to his first and second epistles, by which he admonished them, as if he were present with them, though in person he was absent, v. 2. According to this interpretation, these two epistles are the witnesses he means in the first verse, referring rather to the direction of our Saviour (Mt. 18:16) concerning the manner how Christians should deal with offenders before they proceed to extremity than to the law of Moses (Deu. 17:6; 19:15) for the behaviour of judges in criminal matters. We should go, or send, to our brother, once and again, to tell him of his fault. Thus the apostle had told these Corinthians before, in his former epistle, and now he tells them, or writes to those who heretofore had sinned, and to all others, giving warning unto all before he came in person the third time, to exercise severity against scandalous offenders. Others think that the apostle had designed and prepared for his journey to Corinth twice already, but was providentially hindered, and now informs them of his intentions a third time to come to them. However this be, it is observable that he kept an account how often he endeavoured, and what pains he took with these Corinthians for their good: and we may be sure that an account is kept in heaven, and we must be reckoned with another day for the helps we have had for our souls, and how we have improved them.
    • 2. The threatening itself: That if (or when) he came again (in person) he would not spare obstinate sinners, and such as were impenitent, in their scandalous enormities. He had told them before, he feared God would humble him among them, because he should find some who had sinned and had not repented; and now he declares he would not spare such, but would inflict church-censures upon them, which are thought to have been accompanied in those early times with visible and extraordinary tokens of divine displeasure. Note, Though it is God's gracious method to bear long with sinners, yet he will not bear always; at length he will come, and will not spare those who remain obstinate and impenitent, notwithstanding all his methods to reclaim and reform them.
  • II. The apostle assigns a reason why he would be thus severe, namely, for a proof of Christ's speaking in him, which they sought after, v. 3. The evidence of his apostleship was necessary for the credit, confirmation, and success, of the gospel he preached; and therefore such as denied this were justly and severely to be censured. It was the design of the false teachers to make the Corinthians call this matter into question, of which yet they had not weak, but strong and mighty proofs (v. 3), notwithstanding the mean figure he made in the world and the contempt which by some was cast upon him. Even as Christ himself was crucified through weakness, or appeared in his crucifixion as a weak and contemptible person, but liveth by the power of God, or in his resurrection and life manifests his divine power (v. 4), so the apostles, how mean and contemptible soever they appeared to the world, did yet, as instruments, manifest the power of God, and particularly the power of his grace, in converting the world to Christianity. And therefore, as a proof to those who among the Corinthians sought a proof of Christ's speaking in the apostle, he puts them upon proving their Christianity (v. 5): Examine yourselves, etc. Hereby he intimates that, if they could prove their own Christianity, this would be a proof of his apostleship; for if they were in the faith, if Jesus Christ was in them, this was a proof that Christ spoke in him, because it was by his ministry that they did believe. He had been not only an instructor, but a father to them. He had begotten them again by the gospel of Christ. Now it could not be imagined that a divine power should go along with his ministrations if he had not his commission from on high. If therefore they could prove themselves not to be reprobates, not to be rejected of Christ, he trusted they would know that he was not a reprobate (v. 6), not disowned by Christ. What the apostle here says of the duty of the Corinthians to examine themselves, etc., with the particular view already mentioned, is applicable to the great duty of all who call themselves Christians, to examine themselves concerning their spiritual state. We should examine whether we be in the faith, because it is a matter in which we may be easily deceived, and wherein a deceit is highly dangerous: we are therefore concerned to prove our own selves, to put the question to our own souls, whether Christ be in us, or not; and Christ is in us, except we be reprobates: so that either we are true Christians or we are great cheats; and what a reproachful thing is it for a man not to know himself, not to know his own mind!

2Cr 13:7-10

Here we have,

  • I. The apostle's prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, that they might do no evil, v. 7. This is the most desirable thing we can ask of God, both for ourselves and for our friends, to be kept from sin, that we and they may do no evil; and it is most needful that we often pray to God for his grace to keep us, because without this we cannot keep ourselves. We are more concerned to pray that we may not do evil than that we may not suffer evil.
  • II. The reasons why the apostle put up this prayer to God on behalf of the Corinthians, which reasons have a special reference to their case, and the subject-matter about which he was writing to them. Observe, he tells them,
    • 1. It was not so much for his own personal reputation as for the honour of religion: "Not that we should appear approved, but that you should do that which is honest, or decent, and for the credit of religion, though we should be reproached and vilified, and accounted as reprobates,' v. 7. Note,
      • (1.) The great desire of faithful ministers of the gospel is that the gospel they preach may be honoured, however their persons may be vilified.
      • (2.) The best way to adorn our holy religion is to do that which is honest, and of good report, to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ.
    • 2. Another reason was this: that they might be free from all blame and censure when he should come to them. This is intimated in v. 8, We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. If therefore they did not do evil, nor act contrary to their profession of the gospel, the apostle had no power nor authority to punish them. He had said before (ch. 10:8) and says here (v. 10) that the power which the Lord had given him was to edification, not to destruction; so that, although the apostle had great powers committed to him for the credit and advancement of the gospel, yet he could not do anything to the disparagement of the truth, nor the discouragement of those who obeyed it. He could not, that is, he would not, he dared not, he had no commission to act against the truth; and it is remarkable how the apostle did rejoice in this blessed impotency: "We are glad,' says he (v. 9), "when we are weak and you are strong; that is, that we have no power to censure those who are strong in faith and fruitful in good works.' Some understand this passage thus: "Though we are weak through persecutions and contempt, we bear it patiently, and also joyfully, while we see that you are strong, that you are prosperous in holiness, and persevering in well-doing.' For,
    • 3. He desired their perfection (v. 9); that is, that they might be sincere, and aim at perfection (sincerity is our gospel-perfection), or else he wished there might be a thorough reformation among them. He not only desired that they might be kept from sin, but also that they might grow in grace, and increase in holiness, and that all that was amiss among them might be rectified and reformed. This was the great end of his writing this epistle, and that freedom he used with them by writing these things (those friendly admonitions and warnings), being absent, that so, being present, he should not use sharpness (v. 10), that is, not proceed to the utmost extremity in the exercise of the power which the Lord had given him as an apostle, to revenge all disobedience, ch. 10:6.

2Cr 13:11-14

Thus the apostle concludes this epistle with,

  • I. A valediction. He gives them a parting farewell, and takes his leave of them for the present, with hearty good wishes for their spiritual welfare. In order to this,
    • 1. He gives them several good exhortations.
      • (1.) To be perfect, or to be knit together in love, which would tend greatly to their advantage as a church, or Christian society.
      • (2.) To be of good comfort under all the sufferings and persecutions they might endure for the cause of Christ or any calamities and disappointments they might meet with in the world.
      • (3.) To be of one mind, which would greatly tend to their comfort; for the more easy we are with our brethren the more ease we shall have in our own souls. The apostle would have them, as far as was possible, to be of the same opinion and judgment; however, if this could not be attained, yet,
      • (4.) He exhorts them to live in peace, that difference in opinion should not cause an alienation of affections-that they should be at peace among themselves. He would have all the schisms that were among them healed, that there should be no more contention and wrath found among them, to prevent which they should avoid debates, envyings, backbitings, whisperings, and such like enemies to peace.
    • 2. He encourages them with the promise of God's presence among them: The God of love and peace shall be with you, v. 11. Note,
      • (1.) God is the God of love and peace. He is the author of peace, and lover of concord. He hath loved us, and is willing to be at peace with us; he commands us to love him, and to be reconciled to him, and also that we love one another, and be at peace among ourselves.
      • (2.) God will be with those who live in love and peace. He will love those who love peace; he will dwell with them here, and they shall dwell with him for ever. Such shall have God's gracious presence here, and be admitted to his glorious presence hereafter.
    • 3. He gives directions to them to salute each other, and sends kind salutations to them from those who were with him, v. 12, 13. He would have them testify their affection to one another by the sacred rite of a kiss of charity, which was then used, but has long been disused, to prevent all occasions of wantonness and impurity, in the more declining and degenerate state of the church.
  • II. The apostolical benediction (v. 14): The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Thus the apostle concludes his epistle, and thus it is usual and proper to dismiss worshipping assemblies. This plainly proves the doctrine of the gospel, and is an acknowledgment that Father, Son, and Spirit, are three distinct persons, yet but one God; and herein the same, that they are the fountain of all blessings to men. It likewise intimates our duty, which is to have an eye by faith to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-to live in a continual regard to the three persons in the Trinity, into whose name we were baptized, and in whose name we are blessed. This is a very solemn benediction, and we should give all diligence to inherit this blessing. The grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion (or communication) of the Holy Ghost: the grace of Christ as Redeemer, the love of God who sent the Redeemer, and all the communications of this grace and love, which come to us by the Holy Ghost; it is the communications of the Holy Ghost that qualify us for an interest in the grace of Christ, and the love of God: and we can desire no more to make us happy than the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost. Amen.