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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.

Context of 2 Corinthians 13:3

1This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you. 5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, 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 10:8So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
• 2 Corinthians 2:10Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
• Matthew 10:20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
• Matthew 18:18“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
• Luke 21:15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
• 1 Corinthians 5:4So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,
• 2 Corinthians 2:6The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient.
• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
• 2 Corinthians 12:12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
• 1 Corinthians 9:1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result 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