2 Corinthians 13:3

2 Corinthians 13:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
• New International Version (NIV)since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

Context of 2 Corinthians 13:3

1This is the third time that I am visiting you. Every fact shall be sustained and confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2I have already warned those who have sinned in the past and all the rest as well, and I warn them now even though I am absent [from you] as I did when I was with you the second time, that if I come back I will not spare anyone, since you seek [forensic] proof that Christ is speaking in and through me. He is not weak or ineffective in dealing with you, but powerful within you. 4For even though He was crucified in weakness [yielding Himself], yet He lives [resurrected] by the power of God [His Father]. For we too are weak in Him [as He was humanly weak], yet we are alive and well [in fellowship] with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. 5Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit?

2 Corinthians 13:3 word by word

ἐπεὶ δοκιμὴν ζητεῖτε τοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ λαλοῦντος Χριστοῦ ὃς εἰς ὑμᾶς οὐκ ἀσθενεῖ ἀλλὰ δυνατεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Sinceἐπείepei · sinceG1893
• ye seekζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
• a proofδοκιμήdokimē · testG1382
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• speakingλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• you-wardσύsu · youG4771
• isἀσθενέωastheneō · be weak: weakG770
• notοὐou · noG3756
• weakἀσθενέωastheneō · be weak: weakG770
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• is mightyδυνατέωdunateō · be ableG1414

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:3

• 2 Corinthians 10:8For even though I boast rather freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed [of the truth],
• 2 Corinthians 2:10If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive [that one]; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of [and with the approval of] Christ,
• Matthew 10:20for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
• Matthew 18:18I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven.
• Luke 21:15for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
• 1 Corinthians 5:4In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I am with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
• 2 Corinthians 2:6For such a one this punishment by the majority is sufficient,
• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we starting to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some [false teachers], letters of recommendation to you or from you? [No!]
• 2 Corinthians 12:12The signs that indicate a genuine apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently—signs and wonders and miracles.
• 1 Corinthians 9:1Am I not free [unrestrained and exempt from any obligation]? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our [risen] Lord [in person]? Are you not [the result and proof of] my work in the Lord?

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Since ye seek a proof of Christ - The conversion of the Corinthians was to themselves a solid proof that Christ spoke by the apostle; and therefore he could, with great propriety, say that this power of Christ, far from being weak, was mighty among them.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me - see the notes on the previous chapters. They had called in question his apostolic authority; they had demanded the evidence of his divine commission. He says that he would now furnish such evidence by inflicting just punishment on all offenders, and they should have abundant proof that Christ spoke by him, or that he was inspired. Which to you-ward is not weak - Or who, that is, Christ, is not weak, etc…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4Christ is speaking through me: Paul represented Christ to the Corinthian congregation and used God's power to guide them. Paul's weakness mirrored Christ's humiliation, as Christ was crucified in weakness (see 8:9). Paul judged sinners with Christ's love in mind (5:14–21). We are also weak: Paul's humanity was frail, but he relied on Christ's strength (12:10).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. Since--The reason why he will not spare: Since ye challenge me to give a "proof" that Christ speaks in me. It would be better if ye would "prove your own selves" (2Co 13:5). This disproves the assertion of some that Scripture nowhere asserts the infallibility of its writers when writing it. which--"who" (Christ). is not weak--in relation to you, by me and in this very Epistle, in exercising upon you strong discipline. mighty in you--has given many…Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Examine
• Prove
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle
• Ward

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings