2 Corinthians Chapter 13
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. "At the mouth of two or three witnesses 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, 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 towards 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 towards you.
5 Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don't you know about 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 honourable, 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. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect.
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, God's love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Footnotes
- Verse 1
- Deuteronomy 19:15
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2 Corinthians Chapter 13 Guide
In view of his intention to visit them again the apostle urged them to personal examination. They were to test themselves, and to prove themselves whether they were in the faith. The reason for his appeal, he urged, was not that he might be approved, but that they might do right.
All this long-continued argument of the apostle can hardly be read without a consciousness of his deep anxiety that the Corinthians should understand him, and know that the only motive prompting him in all his dealings with them was love of them. And yet, while thus anxious that they should understand him, he desired far more that they should be right themselves with the Lord.
The last words are words of cheer. A series of brief exhortations is first given, indicating what the Corinthians' true attitude should be. "Farewell," which here is not equivalent to "Good-bye," but rather to "Rejoice." "Be perfected," or "Be fully equipped." "Be comforted," an injunction carrying the thought back to the beginning of the letter, in which the apostle dealt so fully with the comfort of God, which comes to all the afflicted. "Be of the same mind," carrying the thought back still further, to the beginning of his first letter, in which he introduced his first corrective section by a similar injunction. "Live in peace," the all-inclusive word, for peace pre-supposes purity, and is the very condition of power.
After the injunctions comes the declaration, "The God of love and peace shall be with you."
The whole passage closes with the benediction. First, "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ," because it is through Him grace has had its! Epiphany, and through Him we have access to the Father. Then "the love of God," for that lies ever at the heart of all blessing, being the infinite fountain from which the streams flow forth. And, finally, "the communion of the Holy Spirit," for it is through such fellowship that the blessings of grace are realized and the love of God is shed abroad in the heart.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Corinthians Chapter 13 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The apostle threatens obstinate offenders. -- (1-6)
- He prays for their reformation. -- (7-10)
- And ends the epistle with a salutation and blessing. -- (11-14)
Verses 1-6
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. Christ at his crucifixion, appeared as only a weak and helpless man, but his resurrection and life showed his Divine power. So the apostles, how mean and contemptible soever they appeared to the world, yet, as instruments, they manifested the power of God. Let them prove their tempers, conduct, and experience, as gold is assayed or proved by the touchstone. If 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, not disowned by Christ. They ought to know if Christ Jesus was in them, by the influences, graces, and indwelling of his Spirit, by his kingdom set up in their hearts. Let us question our own souls; either we are true Christians, or we are deceivers. Unless Christ be in us by his Spirit, and power of his love, our faith is dead, and we are yet disapproved by our Judge.
Verses 7-10
The most desirable thing we can ask of God, for ourselves and our friends, is to be kept from sin, that we and they may not do evil. We have far more need to pray that we may not do evil, than that we may not suffer evil. The apostle not only desired that they might be kept from sin, but also that they might grow in grace, and increase in holiness. We are earnestly to pray to God for those we caution, that they may cease to do evil, and learn to do well; and we should be glad for others to be strong in the grace of Christ, though it may be the means of showing our own weakness. let us also pray that we may be enabled to make a proper use of all our talents.
Verses 11-14
Here are several good exhortations. God is the Author of peace and Lover of concord; he hath loved us, and is willing to be at peace with us. And let it be our constant aim so to walk, that separation from our friends may be only for a time, and that we may meet in that happy world where parting will be unknown. He wishes that they may partake all the benefits which Christ of his free grace and favour has purchased; the Father out of his free love has purposed; and the Holy Ghost applies and bestows.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.