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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 13
2Co 13:1-14. He Threatens a Severe Proof of His Apostolic Authority, but Prefers They Would Spare Him the Necessity for It.
1. This is the third time I am coming to you—not merely preparing to come to you. This proves an intermediate visit between the two recorded in Ac 18:1; 20:2.
In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established—Quoted from De 19:15, Septuagint. "I will judge not without examination, nor will I abstain from punishing upon due evidence" [Conybeare and Howson]. I will no longer be among you "in all patience" towards offenders (2Co 12:12). The apostle in this case, where ordinary testimony was to be had, does not look for an immediate revelation, nor does he order the culprits to be cast out of the church before his arrival. Others understand the "two or three witnesses" to mean his two or three visits as establishing either (1) the truth of the facts alleged against the offenders, or (2) the reality of his threats. I prefer the first explanation to either of the two latter.
2. Rather, "I have already said (at my second visit), and tell you (now) beforehand, AS (I did) WHEN I WAS PRESENT THE SECOND TIME, SO also NOW in my absence (the oldest manuscripts omit the 'I write,' which here wrongly follows in English Version Greek text) to them which heretofore have sinned (namely, before my second visit, 2Co 12:21), and to all others (who have sinned since my second visit, or are in danger of sinning)." The English Version, "as if I were present the second time," namely, this next time, is quite inconsistent with 2Co 13:1, "this is the third time I am coming to you," as Paul could not have called the same journey at once "the second" and "the third time" of his coming. The antithesis between "the second time" and "now" is palpable.
if I come again, &c.—that is, whensoever I come again (Ac 20:2). These were probably the very words of his former threat which he now repeats again.
3. Since—The reason why he will not spare: Since ye challenge me to give a "proof" that Christ speaks in me. It would be better if ye would "prove your own selves" (2Co 13:5). This disproves the assertion of some that Scripture nowhere asserts the infallibility of its writers when writing it.
which—"who" (Christ).
is not weak—in relation to you, by me and in this very Epistle, in exercising upon you strong discipline.
mighty in you—has given many proofs of His power in miracles, and even in punishing offenders (2Co 5:11, 20, 21). Ye have no need to put me to the proof in this, as long ago Christ has exhibited great proofs of His power by me among you (2Co 12:12) [Grotius]. It is therefore not me, but Christ, whom ye wrong: it is His patience that ye try in despising my admonitions, and derogating from my authority [Calvin].
4. though—omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; then translate, "For He was even crucified," &c.
through weakness—Greek, "from weakness"; that is, His assumption of our weakness was the source, or necessary condition, from which the possibility of His crucifixion flowed (Heb 2:14; Php 2:7, 8).
by—Greek, "from"; "owing to."
the power of God—the Father (Ro 1:4; 6:4; Eph 1:20).
weak in him—that is, in virtue of our union with Him, and after His pattern, weakness predominates in us for a time (exhibited in our "infirmities" and weak "bodily presence," 2Co 10:10; 12:5, 9, 10; and also in our not putting into immediate exercise our power of punishing offenders, just as Christ for a time kept in abeyance His power).
we shall live with him—not only hereafter with Him, free from our present infirmities, in the resurrection life (Php 3:21), but presently in the exercise of our apostolic authority against offenders, which flows to us in respect to you from the power of God, however "weak" we now seem to you. "With Him," that is, even as He now exercises His power in His glorified resurrection life, after His weakness for a time.
5. Examine—Greek, "Try (make trial of) yourselves."
prove your own selves—This should be your first aim, rather than "seeking a proof of Christ speaking in me" (2Co 13:3).
your own selves—I need not speak much in proof of Christ being in me, your minister (2Co 13:3), for if ye try your own selves ye will see that Christ is also in you [Chrysostom], (Ro 8:10). Finding Christ dwelling in yourselves by faith, ye may well believe that He speaks in me, by whose ministry ye have received this faith [Estius]. To doubt it would be the sin of Israel, who, after so many miracles and experimental proofs of God's presence, still cried (Ex 17:7), "Is the Lord among us or not?" (Compare Mr 8:11).
except ye be reprobates—The Greek softens the expression, "somewhat reprobates," that is, not abiding the "proof" (alluding to the same word in the context); failing when tested. Image from metals (Jer 6:30; Da 5:27; Ro 1:28).
6. we … not reprobates—not unable to abide the proof to which ye put us (2Co 13:6). "I trust that" your own Christianity will be recognized by you (observe, "ye shall know," answers to "know your own selves," 2Co 13:5) as sufficient "proof" that ye are not reprobates, but that "Christ speaks in me," without needing a proof from me more trying to yourselves. If ye doubt my apostleship, ye must doubt your own Christianity, for ye are the fruits of my apostleship.
7. I pray—The oldest manuscripts read, "we pray."
not that we should appear approved—not to gain credit for ourselves, your ministers, by your Christian conduct; but for your good [Alford]. The antithesis to "reprobates" leads me to prefer explaining with Bengel, "We do not pray that we may appear approved," by restraining you when ye do evil; "but that ye should do what is right" (English Version, "honest").
though we be as reprobates—though we be thereby deprived of the occasion for exercising our apostolic power (namely, in punishing), and so may appear "as reprobates" (incapable of affording proof of Christ speaking in us).
8. Our apostolic power is given us that we may use it not against, but for the furtherance of, the truth. Where you are free from fault, there is no scope for its exercise: and this I desire. Far be it from me to use it against the innocent, merely in order to increase my own power (2Co 13:10).
9. are glad—Greek, "rejoice."
when we are weak—having no occasion for displaying our power; and so seeming "weak," as being compassed with "infirmities" (2Co 10:10; 11:29, 30).
ye … strong—"mighty" in faith and the fruits of the Spirit.
and—not in the oldest manuscripts.
we wish—Greek, "pray for."
your perfection—literally, "perfect restoration"; literally, that of a dislocated limb. Compare 2Co 13:11, "Be perfect," the same Greek word; also in 1Co 1:10, "perfectly joined together"; Eph 4:12, "the perfecting of the saints."
10. Therefore—because I wish the "sharpness" to be in my letters rather than in deeds [Chrysostom].
edification … not to destruction—for building up … not for casting down. To "use sharpness" would seem to be casting down, rather than building up; therefore he prefers not to have to use it.
11. farewell—meaning in Greek also "rejoice"; thus in bidding farewell he returns to the point with which he set out, "we are helpers of your joy" (2Co 1:24; Php 4:4).
Be perfect—Become perfect by filling up what is lacking in your Christian character (Eph 4:13).
be of good comfort—(2Co 1:6; 7:8-13; 1Th 4:18).
14. The benediction which proves the doctrine of the Divine Trinity in unity. "The grace of Christ" comes first, for it is only by it we come to "the love of God" the Father (Joh 14:6). The variety in the order of Persons proves that "in this Trinity none is afore or after other" [Athanasian Creed].
communion—joint fellowship, or participation, in the same Holy Ghost, which joins in one catholic Church, His temple, both Jews and Gentiles. Whoever has "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost," has also "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," and "the love of God"; and vice versa. For the three are inseparable, as the three Persons of the Trinity itself [Chrysostom]. The doctrine of the Trinity was not revealed clearly and fully till Christ came, and the whole scheme of our redemption was manifested in Him, and we know the Holy Three in One more in their relations to us (as set forth summarily in this benediction), than in their mutual relations to one another (De 29:29).
Amen—omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Probably added subsequently for the exigencies of public joint worship.