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2 Corinthians 13

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Final Warning and Apostolic Authority 1–4

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

Test Yourselves 5–10

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. ​

Final Exhortations and Benediction 11–14

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. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for 2 Corinthians 13

Verse 1

In the mouth of two or three witnesses — The rule is from the law (Deut 19:15; 17:6); Christ applies it to dealing with a brother who will not hear (Matt 18:16). 'Word' is rhema, a matter or charge. The 'third time' answers 12:14, 'Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you'.

Verse 3

a proof of Christ speaking in me — 'Proof' is dokime, a test, from the root of 'reprobates' (adokimos) in v.5: those who demanded a test are told to test themselves. 'Weak' recalls the charge in 10:10, 'his bodily presence is weak'; here Christ is 'not weak, but is mighty in you'.

Verse 4

crucified through weakness — Astheneia, feebleness: Christ was crucified in it, yet 'liveth by the power of God'. Paul's weakness is 'in him', with the same outcome: 'we shall live with him' (cf. Rom 6:8). The pattern is that of 12:10, 'when I am weak, then am I strong'.

Verse 5

Examine yourselves — Peirazo, to test, and dokimazo, to prove, turn the Corinthians' demand (v.3) back on themselves. 'Reprobates' is adokimos, failing the test, the 'castaway' of 1 Cor 9:27. Their own faith is the evidence: Christ 'is in you'.

Verse 8

nothing against the truth — Aletheia, the truth of the gospel. The apostolic authority has no power to act against it: it is exercised only on the side of the truth. The same limit appears in 10:8, where the authority is given 'for edification, and not for your destruction'.

Verse 10

sharpness — Apotomos, 'cutting off', the adverb of Titus 1:13, 'rebuke them sharply'. Paul writes while absent so as not to need it when present. 'Edification' (oikodome) and 'destruction' (kathairesis, pulling down) repeat 10:8; the authority is 'which the Lord hath given me'.

Verse 11

Be perfect — Katartizo, to mend or fit together: the word for 'mending their nets' (Matt 4:21) and for being 'perfectly joined together' (1 Cor 1:10). 'Be of one mind' is the charge of Rom 12:16. The promise is that 'the God of love and peace shall be with you'.

Verse 14

the communion of the Holy Ghost — Koinonia, partnership or fellowship, as in 'fellowship of the Spirit' (Phil 2:1). The blessing names the Lord Jesus Christ with his grace (cf. 8:9), God with his love (cf. Rom 5:5), and the Holy Ghost with communion, 'be with you all'.