2 Corinthians 13

King James Version

Full text for 2 Corinthians Chapter 13

1¶ This [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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul announces his third visit to Corinth, warning that he will not spare those who remain unrepentant, and challenges them to examine their own faith to see if Christ is truly in them. He emphasizes that his apostolic power is for edification, not destruction, and expresses his desire for their spiritual perfection. The chapter concludes with a powerful Trinitarian benediction.

Medium Summary

Paul informs the Corinthians of his impending third visit, reiterating his warning that he will not spare those who have previously sinned and have not repented, grounding his authority in the principle of multiple witnesses. He addresses their demand for proof of Christ speaking through him, asserting that Christ's power is evident among them, just as Christ was crucified in weakness but lives by God's power. Paul then exhorts the Corinthians to diligently examine themselves to confirm they are truly in the faith and that Jesus Christ dwells within them, lest they be found reprobate. He expresses his prayer that they do no evil, valuing their uprightness over his own appearance of approval, and clarifies that his apostolic power is for building up, not tearing down. The epistle concludes with final exhortations to be perfect, comforted, of one mind, and to live in peace, followed by a profound Trinitarian benediction.

Long Summary

Apostle Paul informs the Corinthians of his impending third visit, reiterating his previous warnings to those who have sinned and have not repented, stating that upon his arrival, he will not spare them. He grounds this resolve in the principle that 'in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.' Paul acknowledges their desire for proof that Christ speaks through him, asserting that Christ's power is not weak among them but mighty. He draws a parallel between Christ's crucifixion through weakness and His resurrection by the power of God, explaining that he and his companions, though weak in Christ, will live with Him by the same divine power towards the Corinthians. Paul then issues a direct challenge, urging them to 'examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves,' questioning if they truly know that Jesus Christ is in them, lest they be 'reprobates.' He expresses confidence that they will ultimately recognize that he and his fellow ministers are not reprobates. Paul prays that the Corinthians do no evil, emphasizing that his primary concern is their righteous conduct, even if it means he appears unapproved, and declares that his authority and actions are always 'for the truth' and never 'against the truth.' He expresses joy in his own weakness if it contributes to their strength and spiritual perfection, explaining that he writes these things while absent to avoid having to use 'sharpness' when present, clarifying that the power the Lord has given him is for 'edification, and not to destruction.' The epistle concludes with a series of final admonitions: to be perfect, to be of good comfort, to be of one mind, and to live in peace, promising that 'the God of love and peace shall be with you.' He instructs them to greet one another with a holy kiss and conveys greetings from all the saints. The chapter culminates in a profound 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. Amen.'

Core Concepts

  • Apostolic Authority and DisciplinePaul asserts his authority to discipline unrepentant sinners upon his third visit, grounding it in the principle of multiple witnesses and the power of Christ speaking through him.
  • Self-Examination of FaithThe Corinthians are exhorted to rigorously examine themselves to determine if they are truly in the faith and if Jesus Christ dwells within them, to avoid being found 'reprobates'.
  • Christ's Power in WeaknessThe chapter highlights Christ's crucifixion through weakness but His living by the power of God, a paradox Paul applies to his own ministry, being weak in Christ yet living by God's power.
  • Edification, Not DestructionPaul clarifies that the power given to him by the Lord is intended for building up the church and its members, not for tearing them down, explaining his preference for written warnings.
  • Spiritual Perfection and UnityPaul's ultimate desire for the Corinthians is their spiritual perfection, comfort, unity of mind, and peaceful living, which he links to the presence of the God of love and peace.
  • ReprobatesThis term describes those who fail the test of self-examination, implying they are not genuinely in the faith or indwelt by Christ, and are thus disapproved by God.
  • Trinitarian BenedictionThe epistle concludes with a classic blessing invoking the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, signifying the full scope of divine blessing.