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Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13 verses 1–6
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.
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 (Co2 13:1): 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, Co2 13:2. According to this interpretation, these two epistles are the witnesses he means in the first verse, referring rather to the direction of our Saviour (Mat 17:16) concerning the manner how Christians should deal with offenders before they proceed to extremity than to the law of Moses (Deu 17:6; Deu 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, Co2 13:3. 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 (Co2 13:3), 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 (Co2 13:4), 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 (Co2 13:5): 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 (Co2 13:6), 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!
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–6. Public domain.
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AmbrosiasterAD 384
COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES
Paul is calling them to a knowledge of the faith and an upright life. Once they have recognized the authority of the apostle and his worth in God’s sight, they will start to be concerned about themselves.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 29 on 2 Corinthians
"But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate." What followed naturally was to have said, "but if ye have become reprobate, yet we have not." He doth not, however, say so, for fear of wounding them, but he hints it in an obscure manner, without either making the assertion thus, "ye are reprobate," or proceeding by question and saying, "But if ye are reprobate," but leaving out even this way of putting it by question, he indicates it obscurely by adding, "But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate."
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 29 on 2 Corinthians
Here also again, great is the threat, great the alarm. "For since ye desire," he says, "in this way, by your own punishment to receive the proof, we shall have no difficulty in giving you that demonstration." But he does not indeed so express himself, but with more weight and threatening. "But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate." "For ye ought indeed," he saith, "to have known even without this what we are, and that we have Christ speaking and working in us; but since ye desire to receive the proof of it by deeds also, ye shall know that we are not reprobate."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
In 2 Corinthians 13:6, Paul expresses his confident expectation that the Corinthian believers, upon examining themselves and confirming their genuine faith in Christ, will consequently recognize that he and his apostolic team are not "reprobates"—that is, not disapproved or rejected by God. This statement serves as a crucial point in Paul's defense of his legitimate ministry, asserting that their spiritual health is intrinsically linked to their ability to discern his authentic authority, contrasting his approved status with the potential spiritual deficiency of those who doubted him.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs Contrast in this verse, setting up a clear distinction between himself and his team as "not reprobates" and the implied possibility that those who question him, or fail to examine themselves, might indeed be "reprobates" (as hinted in 2 Corinthians 13:5). There's a subtle Irony at play: Paul is essentially telling the Corinthians that if they are truly approved by Christ, they will recognize that he is also approved. If they cannot recognize his authenticity, it may reveal something about their own spiritual standing. The verse also functions as a powerful Apostolic Appeal and Vindication, serving as Paul's final, confident assertion of his legitimate authority and the divine backing of his ministry, aiming to silence his critics and restore the church's trust in him before his arrival.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Corinthians 13:6 profoundly connects to the biblical theme of divine approval and the testing of faith. The concept of being "reprobate" (Greek: adókimos) underscores that not all who claim faith or ministry are genuinely approved by God. God's standard is not human eloquence, worldly wisdom, or outward show, but faithfulness, integrity, and the genuine working of the Holy Spirit. Paul's confidence that he is "not reprobate" is rooted in his conviction that his ministry faithfully represents Christ and has been attested by divine power, even through weakness. This challenges believers to seek God's approval above all else, recognizing that true spiritual authority is validated by God's presence and power, not by human accolades or self-promotion.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Corinthians 13:6, in conjunction with the preceding verse, issues a timeless call to profound spiritual introspection for every believer. We are challenged to move beyond superficial faith and engage in honest self-examination: Is Christ truly living in me? Am I genuinely "in the faith," or merely going through religious motions? This deep self-assessment is not for condemnation but for assurance and growth, enabling us to discern not only our own spiritual health but also the authenticity of spiritual leadership around us. A mature believer, grounded in Christ, will be better equipped to recognize true servants of God, whose lives and ministries bear the fruit of the Spirit, even if they appear "weak" by worldly standards. Ultimately, this verse reminds us of the paramount importance of living a life that consistently seeks and receives God's approval, rather than the fleeting praise of people. Our actions, motives, and character should stand the test of His scrutiny, reflecting the transforming presence of Christ within us, so that we too may be found "not reprobates," but approved unto God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to be a "reprobate" in the biblical sense?
Answer: In the biblical sense, particularly as used in 2 Corinthians 13:6 and other New Testament passages, "reprobate" (Greek: adókimos) means "unapproved," "rejected," or "disqualified." It describes something or someone that has been tested and found wanting, failing to meet the required standard. This term was commonly used in ancient contexts for metals that were found to be impure after refining, coins that were counterfeit or debased, or candidates who failed an examination. Spiritually, being "reprobate" signifies being disapproved by God, having failed His test of genuine faith or moral integrity. This can refer to those who profess faith but whose lives do not bear true fruit (Titus 1:16), or even those whom God has given over to a depraved mind due to their persistent rejection of Him (Romans 1:28). It implies a state of being spiritually worthless or unfit in God's eyes.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The concept of being "not reprobate" finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ. While Paul confidently asserts his own approved status, this approval is not based on his own merit but on his union with Christ and the power of Christ working through him. Jesus Himself is the perfectly "approved" one, the Son in whom the Father is well pleased (Matthew 3:17). He passed every test, resisted every temptation, and perfectly fulfilled God's will, even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). For believers, our status as "not reprobates" is not earned through our own performance but is a gracious gift received through faith in Christ. We are declared righteous and "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6) because Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). Our spiritual authenticity and approval before God are entirely dependent on His perfect work, which makes us holy and blameless in His sight (Colossians 1:22). Thus, Paul's trust that the Corinthians would know he was not reprobate was ultimately a trust that they would recognize the Christ who empowered his ministry, the same Christ who validates their own faith.