2 Corinthians
Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
2 Corinthians 13
2 Corinthians 13
1This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established.
2I 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; 3seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you: 4for 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.
1This 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.
Commentary · verses 1-4
5Try 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.
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?
Commentary · verse 5
Examine yourselves (think contrastively, be humble). Prove yourselves: Are your actions those of a believer?
6But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.
6But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
Commentary · verse 6
The word "reprobate" in both of the previous two verses was the same word that was translated as castaway in 1 Corinthians 9:27. This word referred to a coin that represented one value, yet was less because some of the weight was shaved off. The actual value was less than what it appeared to be. In these two verses, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to prove themselves, to examine themselves to see if they were actually what they appeared to be. Paul continued to use this word "reprobate"...
7Now 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.
7Now 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.
Commentary · verse 7
Paul blatantly gave the definition of "reprobate" as "appearing to be approved, but actually not being what you appeared to be."
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.
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.
Commentary · verses 8-9
Paul prayed for their perfection, that everyone would reach their maximum profitability: actually be worth what they were capable of and appeared to be.
10For 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.
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.
Commentary · verse 10
Paul wrote this final exhortation with the intent of building up, not of tearing down. Paul wanted people not to end up in sorrow like they had with his previous letter to the Corinthians. Next, Paul closed this letter...
11Finally, 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.
12Salute one another with a 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 Spirit, be with you all.
11Finally, 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. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.
Commentary · verses 11-14
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians somewhere in Macedonia (most likely Philippi), while Paul was on his way to make another visit to Corinth. This would be during his third missionary journey, during a part of which Luke said very little (Acts 20:1-6). This was the third letter of the section known as the Pauline Epistles. It was placed third because it dealt with the church in Corinth's response to the previous book in this section: 1 Corinthians. Specifically, Paul wrote this letter to the church he founded in Corinth in order to comfort those who repented because of the rebukes and corrections of the previous letter. This letter dealt with more mature Doctrines. In fact, of all the Pauline Epistles, I believe this is the least read and quoted today because of the maturity required to understand the Doctrine that was presented.
Christ was crucified through weakness (humbling Himself), yet Christ lives by the power of God. We also are weak in Christ but live by the power of God.