2 Corinthians 5:13

2 Corinthians 5:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
• New International Version (NIV)If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

Context of 2 Corinthians 5:13

11Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. 12We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. 15And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

2 Corinthians 5:13 word by word

εἴτε γὰρ ἐξέστημεν, θεῷ· εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν, ὑμῖν.Read the interlinear

• Ifεἴτεeite · whetherG1535
• ·γάρgar · forG1063
• we are out of our mindἐξίστημιexistēmi · to amazeG1839
• for Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• we are of sound mindσωφρονέωsōphroneō · be of sound mindG4993
• for youσύsu · youG4771

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:13

• 2 Corinthians 11:1I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.
• 2 Corinthians 12:6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,
• Acts 26:24At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”
• 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:3For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
• 2 Samuel 6:21But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD,
• Acts 26:25But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
• Romans 12:3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
• 2 Corinthians 7:12So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or the one who was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God.
• Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:5because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.
• 2 Timothy 2:10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Beside ourselves - Probably he was reputed by some to be deranged. Festus thought so: Paul, thou art beside thyself; too much learning hath made thee mad. And his enemies at Corinth might insinuate not only that he was deranged, but attribute his derangement to a less worthy cause than intense study and deep learning. It is to God - If we do appear, in speaking of the glories of the eternal world, to be transported beyond ourselves, it is through the good…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13For whether we be beside ourselves - This is probably designed to meet some of the charges which the false teachers in Corinth brought against him, and to furnish his friends there with a ready answer, as well as to show them the true principles on which he acted, and his real love for them. It is altogether probable that he was charged with being deranged; that many who boasted themselves of prudence, and soberness, and wisdom, regarded him as acting…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-15Verses 9-15 The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13If we are out of our mind: This statement might suggest that during Paul's previous visit to Corinth (2:1–2), people accused him of being out of his mind when he shared the simple good news about Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:2).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. be--rather as Greek, "have been." The contrast is between the single act implied by the past tense, "If we have ever been beside ourselves," and the habitual state implied by the present, "Or whether we be sober," that is, of sound mind. beside ourselves--The accusation brought by Festus against him (Ac 26:24). The holy enthusiasm with which he spake of what God effected by His apostolic ministry, seemed to many to be boasting madness. sober--humbling…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 5:13

• Jesus, the Christ
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Appear
• Constrain
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Earthly
• Faith
• Groan
• Pray
• Reconcile

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5

• 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