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 third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established. 2I have declared beforehand, and I say beforehand as present the second time, and now absent, to those that have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare. Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, (who is not weak towards you, but is powerful among you, 4for if indeed he has been crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power; for indeed we are weak in him, but we shall live with him by God's power towards you,) 5examine your own selves if ye be in the faith; prove your own selves: do ye not recognise yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed ye be reprobates?

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

• seekζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
• proofδοκιμήdokimē · testG1382
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• speakingλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• weakἀσθενέωastheneō · be weak: weakG770

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:3

• 2 Corinthians 10:8For and if I should boast even somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord has given [to us] for building up and not for your overthrowing, I shall not be put to shame;
• 2 Corinthians 2:10But to whom ye forgive anything, I also; for I also, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, [it is] for your sakes in [the] person of Christ;
• Matthew 10:20For ye are not the speakers, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.
• Matthew 18:18Verily I say to you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on the earth shall be loosed in heaven.
• Luke 21:15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your opposers shall not be able to reply to or resist.
• 1 Corinthians 5:4[to deliver,] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (ye and my spirit being gathered together, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ), him that has so wrought this:
• 2 Corinthians 2:6Sufficient to such a one [is] this rebuke which [has been inflicted] by the many;
• 2 Corinthians 3:1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or do we need, as some, commendatory letters to you, or [commendatory] from you?
• 2 Corinthians 12:12The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.
• 1 Corinthians 9:1Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye 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