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 I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. 2I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you. 4For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you. 5Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test!

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 if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.
• 2 Corinthians 2:10If you forgive anyone for anything, I also forgive him – for indeed what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything) I did so for you in the presence of Christ,
• Matthew 10:20For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
• Matthew 18:18“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.
• Luke 21:15For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
• 1 Corinthians 5:4When you gather together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of our Lord Jesus,
• 2 Corinthians 2:6This punishment on such an individual by the majority is enough for him,
• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we?
• 2 Corinthians 12:12Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.
• 1 Corinthians 9:1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not 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